A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What methodological approach was primarily used in Freud's study of Little Hans?

1. Experimental

2. Survey

3. Case study

4. Longitudinal

The correct answer is: Case study

The methodological approach used in Freud's study of Little Hans was a case study. This approach involves an in-depth exploration of an individual or a small group, allowing researchers to gather detailed and nuanced information about the subject's behaviors, thoughts, and experiences over time. In the case of Little Hans, Freud analyzed the specific phobias and anxieties of the boy, using observational data, letters from Hans's father, and the insights derived from psychoanalytic theory. The strength of the case study method is its ability to provide rich qualitative data and explore complex psychological phenomena from a personalized perspective. Freud’s analysis allowed him to draw broader conclusions about the development of neuroses and the Oedipus complex, thus contributing significantly to psychoanalytic theory. Other methodological options, like experimental and survey approaches, do not apply well here. Experimental methods require manipulation and control of variables that are not present in this study, while surveys rely on standardized questions distributed to a larger population, which wouldn't capture the depth of understanding achieved through the individual case analysis of Little Hans. The longitudinal approach focuses on studying subjects over a longer time frame but was not the primary method used in this context.