Psychodynamics - Methodology

Case study is not actually a method itself. Rather, it is a collection of methods. In general, case studies are aimed to observe and describe an individual's behavior. They can provide a fruitful insight into unique, exceptional behaviors. In result, the investigator gains richer information by researching to depth. On the other hand, the sample can be limited, which lowers the level of reliability. It was the case of Freud, for he used the limited sample consisting of upper middle class neurotic women. There in, however, lies a problem of generalizability. It is possible to generalize if several case studies reveal similar characteristics and there from Freud could have developed his theory. Moreover, the more information he gathered from new and new case studies, he was likely to adjust his theory. Still, if the sample is not representative, the theory can be hardly applied to human behavior in general. In result, Freud's theory may be affected by unjustified generalizing.

Within the case studies, Freud used methods such as observations, interviews, free association, dream and content analysis, hypnosis, and he even explored himself. During the interviews, he observed his patients while using a technique of free association. He paid attention to finding the source of the patients´ problem, which he would then analyze and treat.

A method of free association might actually be considered to be a type of an interview, which runs on the one-to-one basis and which is unstructured because the patient is asked to say anything that comes up to his/her mind. Freud used free association to reveal painful memories which might have been repressed. He believed that these can appear in a form of resistance to continue talking about a particular issue. He considered these themes to be the source of neurosis, which are about to be explored further.

The advantage of this method is that the patient should feel relaxed because he/she can talk about anything he/she wants to. In result, identifying the problematic issues should be easier. Disadvantage of such a method can result from the inter-subject diversity of information, which makes the data difficult to analyze. In result, such a lack of inconsistency decreases reliability of the conclusion he arrived to and hence the reliability of the theory itself.

By analyzing the information gathered from the observation, Freud attempted to derive the possible source of patient's problem. Then, by the means of hypnosis he tried to eliminate the source of neurosis. In hypnosis, a patient would talk out the problems and reach catharsis, or emotional release. According to him, this was possible because hypnosis is a state of mind where ego and superego lose control over person's behavior. Therefore, unconscious can be explored. For the same reason, Freud paid attention to the analysis of his patients´ dreams.

Two main objections arise against Freud's observations and analysis. First, he did not record his sessions with patients, and only noted what he remembered hours ago. This is clearly a source of bias because naturally he paid attention to some things more than to others and tended to remember themes he was interested in. In result, the source of neurosis he found was not necessarily the actual cause. This is an objection on subjectivity. Second objection concerns reliability. He was alone in analyzing the data he gathered. Thus, it cannot be sure whether other researchers would agree with his judgments. In result, Freud's theory might be based on wrong judgments resulting from subjective perception and analysis.

To conclude, Freud's theory is one that brings so many controversies as contributions. The ideas on which it is based emerged from his research. The methods he used to reveal unconscious processes might have as well been a useful tool but at the same time a source of biases that could have distorted the judgments on which his theory is based.