M ETHODOLOGY Q UESTION Sarah Howcutt T ODAY

T ODAY WE WILL ANSWER: What information needs to go into the methodology question

W HAT IS METHODOLOGY? A) Another approach to studying psychology. B) A type of

W HAT STRUCTUREDO WE NEED? Explain Method 1 – linking it clearly to the

S TATE THE METHOD OF THE PSYCHODYNAMICAPPROACH. What methods did Freud use to theorise

This is the ‘explain’ bit of the question. C ASE STUDIES Idiographic – focuses

S TRENGTHS TRUE INSIGHT into the behaviour of an individual compared to “snapshot” lab

W EAKNESSES Can’t GENERALISE findings to other people Why a weakness? Eg? Compared to

W EAKNESSES Freud’s subjects were not REPRESENTATIVE of the populations as a whole. Why

C LINICAL INTERVIEWS They are conducted individually and face-toface in the psychodynamic approach. They

Clinical Interviews S TRENGTHS Allow for a good relationship to develop, between patient and

Clinical Interviews W EAKNESSES Can’t GENERALISE findings to other people Why a weakness? NB

A N EXAMPLE Examiners love examples – scores on depth and elaboration. Harris and

W OULD IT NOT BE BETTER TO USE AN EXPERIMENT? Some of you have

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M ETHODOLOGY Q UESTION Sarah Howcutt

T ODAY WE WILL ANSWER: What information needs to go into the methodology question for the psychodynamic approach? How can we explain and evaluate Freud’s methods?

W HAT IS METHODOLOGY? A) Another approach to studying psychology. B) A type of experiment. C) The theory about what counts as a useful way of studying the mind and behaviour.

W HAT STRUCTUREDO WE NEED? Explain Method 1 – linking it clearly to the approach Evaluate strengths of the method (2 minimum) Evaluate Weaknesses of the method (2 minimum) Explain Method 2 – linking it clearly to the approach Evaluate strengths of the method (2 minimum) Evaluate Weaknesses of the method (2 minimum) Use a paragraph for each section to keep you on track and don’t forget to do this for all the methods used.

S TATE THE METHOD OF THE PSYCHODYNAMICAPPROACH. What methods did Freud use to theorise from Dora’s dream? Case study Clinical interview

This is the ‘explain’ bit of the question. C ASE STUDIES Idiographic – focuses on the UNIQUENESS of the individual patient. Study one person in great detail, using a variety of ways of finding out information Eg Clinical Interviews, Free association, Dream analysis Time intensive Any disorders are described before any treatment/therapeutic discussions. Finally there is usually an evaluation of the interpretations and successfulness of therapy.

S TRENGTHS TRUE INSIGHT into the behaviour of an individual compared to “snapshot” lab experiment Why a strength? Eg? QUALITATIVE DATA (views, opinions) are obtained which help us to understand behaviour. More likely to produce valid conclusions if we pend more time. Why a strength? Eg?

W EAKNESSES Can’t GENERALISE findings to other people Why a weakness? Eg? Compared to quantitative data (numbers) QUALITATIVE data can be more easily interpreted in a way that suits the researcher’s theory. Why a weakness? Eg?

W EAKNESSES Freud’s subjects were not REPRESENTATIVE of the populations as a whole. Why a weakness? Eg?

C LINICAL INTERVIEWS They are conducted individually and face-toface in the psychodynamic approach. They have a schedule of questions but the patient can talk freely, with therapist guiding discussion based on the patient’s answers

Clinical Interviews S TRENGTHS Allow for a good relationship to develop, between patient and therapist Why a strength? Eg? The therapist can observe verbal and non-verbal behaviour, eg tone and body-language. Why a strength? Eg?

Clinical Interviews W EAKNESSES Can’t GENERALISE findings to other people Why a weakness? NB different from case studies Eg? Interviewer Bias – the interviewer might have an agenda Why a weakness? Eg?

A N EXAMPLE Examiners love examples – scores on depth and elaboration. Harris and Campbell (1999) Interviewed 128 pregnant women about their pregnancy and what they thought that pregnancy would mean for them. 81% of the unplanned group and 16% of the planned group believed that the pregnancy would be good for them. WHAT DO YOU CONCLUDE FROM THIS?

W OULD IT NOT BE BETTER TO USE AN EXPERIMENT? Some of you have found Freud a bit ‘vague’ and ‘weird’! He gathers QUALITATIVE DATA What are the pros and the cons of this?