Psychology - little hans evaluation
Evaluation of Little Hans (Freud, 1909) in terms of the research method used
The aim of the study conducted by Freud was to report the findings of the treatment of a five-year-old boy for his phobia or horses.
Freud used a case study method to investigate Little Hans’ phobia. However, the case study was carried out not by Freud himself, but by the boy’s father who was a friend and supporter of Freud. It was said that Freud had only actually met Little Hans once. The father reported to Freud via correspondence and Freud gave directions as how to deal with the situation based on his interpretations of the father’s reports.
Strengths of using the case study method in the case of Little Hans was that rich, in depth data was collected during the experiment. This means that information that may, perhaps, be overlooked using other research methods can be identified. For example, Hans’ father could report feelings and expressions to Freud by qualitative data, whereas methods that require quantities data would not display this much detail.
Another strength of using the case study technique for the case of Little Hans was that the method can be used to investigate instances of human behavior and experience that are rare, and perhaps could not be created in research labs. This meant that, by using the case study technique, Hans was in a natural environment, and therefore rich, valid data could be collected.
However, despite the strengths to using the case study method, there are weaknesses as well. For example, researchers may lack objectivity due to the fact that theoretical biases may lead them to interpret the data less objectively. Freud had been widely criticized for producing the case study of little Hans in which the information was sometimes distorted to fit his particular theories about behavior. Moreover, with the dad reporting to Freud information about Freud, this could lead to further subjectivity to alter his findings to match the Oedipus
The aim of the study conducted by Freud was to report the findings of the treatment of a five-year-old boy for his phobia or horses.
Freud used a case study method to investigate Little Hans’ phobia. However, the case study was carried out not by Freud himself, but by the boy’s father who was a friend and supporter of Freud. It was said that Freud had only actually met Little Hans once. The father reported to Freud via correspondence and Freud gave directions as how to deal with the situation based on his interpretations of the father’s reports.
Strengths of using the case study method in the case of Little Hans was that rich, in depth data was collected during the experiment. This means that information that may, perhaps, be overlooked using other research methods can be identified. For example, Hans’ father could report feelings and expressions to Freud by qualitative data, whereas methods that require quantities data would not display this much detail.
Another strength of using the case study technique for the case of Little Hans was that the method can be used to investigate instances of human behavior and experience that are rare, and perhaps could not be created in research labs. This meant that, by using the case study technique, Hans was in a natural environment, and therefore rich, valid data could be collected.
However, despite the strengths to using the case study method, there are weaknesses as well. For example, researchers may lack objectivity due to the fact that theoretical biases may lead them to interpret the data less objectively. Freud had been widely criticized for producing the case study of little Hans in which the information was sometimes distorted to fit his particular theories about behavior. Moreover, with the dad reporting to Freud information about Freud, this could lead to further subjectivity to alter his findings to match the Oedipus