Question

case study in psychology on a person

Answer 1

Case studies are often conducted in clinical medicine and involve collecting and reporting descriptive information about a particular person or specific environment, such as a school. Inpsychology, case studies are often confined to the study of a particular individual.

example:

Phineas Gage
One day in 1848 in Central Vermont, Phineas Gage was tamping explosives into the ground to prepare the way for a new railway line when he had a terrible accident. The detonation went off prematurely, and his tamping iron shot into his face, through his brain, and out the top of his head. Remarkably Gage survived, although his friends and family reportedly felt he was changed so profoundly (becoming listless and aggressive) that “he was no longer Gage.” There the story used to rest – a classic example of frontal brain damage affecting personality. However, recent years have seen a drastic reevaluation of Gage’s story in light of new evidence. It’s now believed that he underwent significant rehabilitation and in fact began work as a horse carriage driver in Chile. A simulation of his injuriessuggested much of his right frontal cortex was likely spared, and photographic evidence has been unearthed showing a post-accident dapper Gage. Not that you’ll find this revised account in many psychology textbooks: a recent analysis showed that few of them have kept up to date with the new evidence.






on common man:
M is a 32 year old man who was referred to our service by the Assertive Outreach
Team. He was living with his girlfriend but the relationship was breaking down and
he was at risk of homelessness. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and had
problems with substance misuse. He had diabetes, which was not under control, had
HIV and Hepatitis B.
M's substance misuse and health problems were the factors that put him most at
risk. He was also having to leave his girlfriend's home, with no alternative place to
stay and was too vulnerable to sustain a tenancy of his own. Moving into Forest
Road in itself addressed the immediate issue of him having a safe place to stay.
We undertook joint needs
and risk assessments with
his Care Team to ensure
that all areas of risk and
need were being met and
agreed roles and
contingency plans. We put in
place support plans and
worked together with M on
the knowledge and skills he
needed to look after himself
better.
Staff also supported M to
deal safely with needles for insulin. They worked with the Dual Diagnosis team and
local council on needle exchanges and arrangements for collection of sharps boxes.M did not understand how to budget and the choices he made about how to spend
his money often left him without the basics. His keyworker worked with him on basic
budgeting skills and his reduction in drug taking made a huge impact on his financial
position. In preparation for moving back in with his girlfriend staff ensured that all
necessary benefits were in place and M left with a budgeting plan.
In the beginning, M barely engaged in support - support was led by staff, and
addressed the problems that presented the most risk to M and others. However,
once his drug taking was under control and both physical and mental health
improved, he began to care more about himself, to lead his own support and talk
about his future. He engaged in social activities and just before he moved on, staff
were supporting him to find a college course that was of interest to him.
Staff facilitated his staying in touch with his girlfriend, which later led to them
returning to living together. We have stayed in touch with M and he has continued to
sustain a tenancy and avoid debt.