What is a case study in psychology?

A case study in psychology is primarily characterized as a detailed account of an individual's life and issues. This research method focuses on a thorough investigation of a single person, group, or event to uncover insights into complex psychological phenomena. Case studies allow psychologists to explore the depths of a subject's experiences, behaviors, and emotional states, often including in-depth interviews, observations, and various psychological tests.

This exploratory approach can provide rich qualitative data, which aids in the understanding of the individual's mental health conditions, life history, and how these factors interact with their psychological well-being. Through the narrative and comprehensive nature of case studies, researchers can generate hypotheses that can be further tested in larger populations, contributing significantly to the broader field of psychology. The depth of information derived from case studies is particularly useful when dealing with rare conditions or unique situations where quantitative methods may not be as effective.