📚 Case Study Practical Exercises for Year 7 AQA Psychology | Year 7 AQA 心理学：案例分析实战演练
In Year 7 AQA Psychology, you will come across a method called the case study. This method helps you understand how psychologists dig deep into real-life behaviour. Learning to analyse case studies gives you the tools to think like a psychologist. This article offers practical exercises that break down the process step by step, so you can tackle any case study with confidence.
在Year 7 AQA心理学中，你会接触到一种叫做案例研究的方法。这种方法帮助你理解心理学家如何深入探究现实生活中的行为。学会分析案例研究让你拥有像心理学家一样思考的工具。本文提供逐步分解的实战演练，让你能够自信地应对任何案例分析。
1. What Is a Case Study? | 什么是案例研究？
A case study is an in-depth investigation of a single person, a small group, or a specific event. Instead of collecting data from hundreds of people, the researcher gathers rich, detailed information from one source. This can include interviews, observations, questionnaires, and even biological tests.
案例研究是对单一个人、小群体或特定事件的深入调查。研究者不从数百人那里收集数据，而是从单一来源收集丰富、详细的信息。这可以包括访谈、观察、问卷，甚至生物测试。
Psychologists often use case studies when a situation is unusual or cannot be recreated in a lab. For example, studying a person with a rare brain injury can reveal how the brain normally works. The detail obtained is far greater than what an experiment could capture.
当情况不寻常或无法在实验室中重现时，心理学家通常使用案例研究。例如，研究一个患有罕见脑损伤的人可以揭示大脑正常情况下如何运作。所获得的细节比实验所能捕捉到的要丰富得多。
2. Why Do Psychologists Use Case Studies? | 为什么心理学家使用案例研究？
Case studies allow psychologists to explore complex behaviours in natural settings. They provide qualitative data – descriptions, emotions, and personal experiences – that help us understand the ‘why’ behind actions. Many famous theories began with a single case study that sparked new ideas.
案例研究让心理学家能够在自然环境中探索复杂的行为。它们提供了定性数据——描述、情感和个人经历——帮助我们理解行为背后的“为什么”。许多著名的理论都始于一个激发了新想法的单一案例研究。
Furthermore, case studies can be used when it would be unethical to manipulate variables, such as studying the effects of severe neglect on a child. In these situations, a case study is often the only practical way to gather psychological evidence.
此外，当操纵变量不合伦理时（例如研究严重忽视对儿童的影响），可以使用案例研究。在这些情况下，案例研究往往是收集心理学证据的唯一可行方法。
3. Key Features of a Good Case Study | 好案例研究的关键特征
A strong case study has several important features. First, it includes a detailed description of the participant and the context. Second, it uses multiple sources of information, such as interviews with the participant, family members, and teachers, to build a complete picture.
一个好的案例研究有几个重要特征。首先，它包含对参与者和情境的详细描述。其次，它使用多种信息来源，例如与参与者、家人和老师的访谈，来构建完整的画面。
Third, the best case studies follow the subject over a long period (longitudinal study) to track changes. Finally, they openly discuss any limitations and ethical considerations, so readers can judge how trustworthy the conclusions are.
第三，最好的案例研究对研究对象进行长期跟踪（纵向研究）以追踪变化。最后，它们公开讨论任何局限性和伦理考量，以便读者判断结论的可信度。
4. Step-by-Step Analysis Guide | 分步分析指南
When you face a case study, follow these four simple steps. Step 1: Read carefully and highlight the aim – what did the psychologist want to find out? Step 2: Note the method – how was information collected (e.g. interviews, observations, tests)?
当你面对一个案例研究时，请遵循以下四个简单步骤。第一步：仔细阅读并标出目的——心理学家想要发现什么？第二步：注意方法——信息是如何收集的（例如访谈、观察、测试）？
Step 3: Identify the key findings – what did the psychologist discover about the person or behaviour? Step 4: Evaluate the study – what are its strengths and weaknesses? Also ask yourself whether the findings could apply to other people.
第三步：识别关键发现——心理学家对这个人的行为有什么发现？第四步：评估研究——它的优点和缺点是什么？还要问自己这些发现是否可以推广到其他人身上。
5. Worked Example: The Case of HM (Memory) | 实战演练：HM案例（记忆）
HM was a man who suffered from severe epilepsy. In 1953, surgeons removed parts of his brain, including the hippocampus, to stop the seizures. After the operation, his epilepsy improved, but he could no longer form new conscious memories. However, he could still learn new motor skills, like drawing a star while looking in a mirror.
HM是一名患有严重癫痫的男子。1953年，外科医生切除了他大脑的部分区域，包括海马体，以阻止癫痫发作。手术后，他的癫痫有所改善，但他再也不能形成新的有意识记忆。然而，他仍然可以学习新的运动技能，比如看镜子画星星。
Aim: Originally to treat epilepsy; later to understand memory. Method: Longitudinal case study using cognitive tests and observations over many years. Findings: Showed that different types of memory (conscious vs. skill-based) depend on different brain structures. Evaluation: Extremely detailed, but only one participant – we cannot assume everyone’s brain works exactly the same way.
目的：最初是治疗癫痫；后来是理解记忆。方法：多年使用认知测试和观察的纵向案例研究。发现：表明不同类型的记忆（有意识记忆与技能记忆）依赖于不同的大脑结构。评估：极其详细，但只有一名参与者——我们不能假设每个人的大脑都以完全相同的方式运作。
6. Worked Example: Asch’s Conformity Study as a Case | 实战演练：阿希从众研究案例
Solomon Asch (1951) set up a situation where one real participant was placed in a group of seven to nine confederates. They were shown a line and asked to match it to one of three comparison lines. The confederates deliberately gave the wrong answer on certain trials. Asch found that about 75% of real participants conformed at least once, even though the correct answer was obvious.
所罗门·阿希 (1951) 设置了一个情境：将一名真正的参与者放在由七到九名同谋者组成的群体中。他们看到一条线，并被要求将其与三条比较线中的一条匹配。同谋者在某些试验中故意给出错误答案。阿希发现，即使正确答案很明显，大约75%的真正参与者至少从众了一次。
We can analyse this as a case of group pressure. Aim: To see if people conform to a group’s incorrect judgement. Method: Controlled observation with a real participant and confederates. Findings: Strong conformity effect due to normative social influence. Evaluation: The situation was artificial, and there were ethical issues (deception). However, it beautifully shows how powerful the need to fit in can be.
我们可以将此作为群体压力的案例来分析。目的：观察人们是否屈从于群体的错误判断。方法：对真实参与者和同谋者进行控制观察。发现：由于规范社会影响而产生的强烈从众效应。评估：情境是人为的，并且存在伦理问题（欺骗）。然而，它美妙地展示了融入群体的需求有多么强大。
7. Worked Example: Little Albert (Development) | 实战演练：小阿尔伯特案例（发展）
In 1920, John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner conditioned a baby known as ‘Little Albert’ to fear a white rat. Every time Albert reached for the rat, the researchers struck a steel bar with a hammer, making a loud noise. Soon, Albert cried at the sight of the rat alone, and his fear generalised to other furry objects like a rabbit and a Santa Claus mask.
1920年，约翰·华生和罗莎莉·雷纳对一名被称为“小阿尔伯特”的婴儿进行了条件作用，使他害怕一只白鼠。每次阿尔伯特伸手去摸白鼠时，研究者就用锤子敲击一根钢条，发出巨大响声。很快，阿尔伯特一看到白鼠就哭，他的恐惧还泛化到了其他毛茸茸的物品上，比如兔子和圣诞老人面具。
Aim: To show that emotional responses like fear can be learned through classical conditioning. Method: Single-subject case study with controlled stimulus presentations. Findings: Fear was successfully conditioned and generalised. Evaluation: Huge ethical problems – Albert was never deconditioned, causing potential long-term harm. Also, only one child was studied, so we cannot be sure all children would react the same way.
目的：表明像恐惧这样的情绪反应可以通过经典条件作用习得。方法：使用受控刺激呈现的单被试案例研究。发现：恐惧被成功条件化并泛化。评估：巨大的伦理问题——小阿尔伯特从未被消除条件作用，造成了潜在的长期伤害。此外，只研究了一个孩子，所以我们不能确定所有孩子都会有同样的反应。
8. Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses | 识别优点和缺点
When evaluating any case study, you need to weigh its strengths and weaknesses. This skill will earn you marks in AQA Psychology at every level. Here is a simple table to help you remember the most common points.
在评估任何案例研究时，你需要权衡其优点和缺点。这项技能将在各个层次的AQA心理学中为你赢得分数。这里有一个简单的表格，帮助你记住最常见的要点。
| Strength: Rich, detailed data | 优点：丰富、详细的数据 |
| Explores unique cases that cannot be studied experimentally | 探索无法进行实验研究的独特案例 |
| Can generate new hypotheses for future research | 可以为未来研究产生新假设 |
| Weakness: Low generalisability | 缺点：推广性低 |
| Risk of researcher bias | 存在研究者偏见风险 |
| Difficult to replicate | 难以重复 |
A balanced evaluation always recognises that a single case gives us deep insight but never absolute proof. You should always link strengths and weaknesses to the specific study you are analysing.
平衡的评估总是承认单个案例能给我们深刻的洞察，但绝不是绝对的证据。你应当始终将优点和缺点与你正在分析的具体研究联系起来。
9. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them | 常见错误及避免方法
Beginners often make a few predictable mistakes when analysing case studies. The first is confusing a case study with an experiment – remember, a case study does not manipulate an independent variable; it simply observes and records. The second mistake is assuming the findings are true for everyone.
初学者在分析案例研究时常常会犯一些可预见的错误。第一是将案例研究与实验混淆——记住，案例研究不操纵自变量；它只是观察和记录。第二个错误是认为研究结果对每个人都成立。
Another pitfall is forgetting to mention ethical issues. Whether a study caused distress or lacked informed consent, you must comment on it. Finally, avoid just describing the study; you must analyse it using the four-step method. Always ask ‘why’ and ‘how reliable’ the evidence is.
另一个陷阱是忘记提及伦理问题。无论研究是否造成了痛苦或缺乏知情同意，你都必须对此进行评论。最后，避免仅仅描述研究；你必须用四步法分析它。始终问证据是“为什么”以及“有多可靠”。
10. Writing a Case Study Report | 撰写案例研究报告
In Year 7, you might be asked to write your own short case study report. Use a clear structure: Introduction – explain why the case is interesting; Case Description – who is the person and what is their background; Method – how you gathered information; Findings – what you discovered; Discussion – what the findings mean and their limitations; and Conclusion – a short summary.
在Year 7，你可能会被要求撰写自己的简短案例研究报告。使用清晰的结构：引言——解释为什么这个案例有趣；案例描述——这个人是谁，他们的背景如何；方法——你如何收集信息；发现——你发现了什么；讨论——这些发现意味着什么以及其局限性；结论——一个简短的总结。
Always include a note on ethics: Did you get permission? Did you protect the person’s identity? Keeping your writing objective and using psychological terms (like ‘generalisation’ or ‘bias’) will show that you are thinking like a psychologist.
始终包含一个伦理说明：你获得许可了吗？你是否保护了当事人的身份？保持写作客观并使用心理学词汇（如“泛化”或“偏见”）将表明你像心理学家一样思考。
11. Practice Tasks for You | 给你的练习任务
Now it’s your turn. Read the following mini-case and try to answer the questions. Case: A student named Jamie was always top of the class. After moving to a new school in Year 7, Jamie started refusing to answer questions in class and fell behind. Interviews revealed that Jamie felt intense pressure to be perfect and feared looking silly in front of new classmates.
现在轮到你了。阅读下面的迷你案例并尝试回答问题。案例：一个名叫杰米的学生一直是班上第一名。在Year 7转到一所新学校后，杰米开始在课堂上拒绝回答问题并落后了。访谈显示，杰米感到要完美的巨大压力，并害怕在新同学面前显得傻。
Identify the possible reasons for Jamie’s behaviour using psychological ideas. What method was used? Evaluate this mini-case study: is the information reliable? Can we generalise from Jamie’s experience? Write a short paragraph explaining your analysis.
运用心理学观点识别杰米行为的可能原因。使用了什么方法？评估这个迷你案例研究：这些信息可靠吗？我们可以从杰米的经历中推广吗？写一个简短的段落解释你的分析。
Another quick task: Think of a film or book character with an interesting behaviour (e.g. a character with a specific fear). Design a simple case study outline for them, including an aim, how you would collect information, and what ethical points you would consider.
另一个快速任务：想出一个电影或书籍中有着有趣行为的角色（例如，一个有特定恐惧的角色）。为他们设计一个简单的案例研究大纲，包括目的、你将如何收集信息，以及你将考虑哪些伦理要点。
12. Summary and Top Tips | 总结与最佳建议
Case studies are a powerful tool in psychology because they give us a deep look into real human experiences. As you prepare for your AQA assessments, remember to always identify the aim, method, findings, and evaluation. Look for strengths like rich detail, and weaknesses such as poor generalisability.
案例研究是心理学中一个强大的工具，因为它们让我们深入了解真实的人类经历。在你为AQA评估做准备时，记得始终要识别目的、方法、发现和评估。寻找像细节丰富这样的优点，以及像推广性差这样的缺点。
Top tips: never skip the ethics section; always link your evaluation to the specific study; and practice, practice, practice! The more case studies you break down, the easier it becomes to spot patterns and think critically. Use the four-step method on every example you find, and soon analysis will feel natural.
最佳建议：永远不要跳过伦理部分；始终将你的评估与具体研究联系起来；并且练习、练习、再练习！你拆解的案例越多，就越容易发现模式并进行批判性思考。对你找到的每个例子使用四步法，很快分析就会变得自然。
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