2 Case Studies
Textbook Chapters (or similar texts)
Videos
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Inquiry-based Activity: Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?
This activity has been adapted from one developed by Emily Stark
Introduction: Within psychological science, case studies have value in the ability to make sense of rare events/traits/disorders. However, case studies and testimonials are also often used to sell products and tout the wonders of miracle cures. In this activity, students will do their own example of a case study using the television show Spongebob.
Question to pose to students: Based on the episode Frankendoodle, is Spongebob an appropriate show for children?
Students form a hypothesis: Depending on the age/cultural background of your students, many will have some experience with the show and will likely say yes. At this stage, have a discussion with students about what behaviors might make a show good or bad for children to watch. Make a list with them of these good and bad behaviors. Then, discuss how you might operationalize those behaviors. It is likely that some will be easier to operationalize than others. Select several of them (2-3 behaviors per good/bad) and identify them as the behaviors that students should be looking for while watching the episode.
Students test their hypotheses: The episode is available here. Before watching, remind students that their goal is to note behaviors they see that have been operationalized as good or bad in the previous step. Students will then watch the episode. After, have students pair up and discuss the experience. Was it harder or easier than they thought it would be? What aspects were challenging? Do they have identical codes from the episode? If not, discuss the events that differed between students. Finally, have students commit to or amend the hypothesis they initially formed.
Note: This activity would likely work with any children’s television show that has a somewhat-violent episode.
Do the students’ hypotheses hold up?: This episode contains more episodes of violence than is typical for television shows directed at children. Thus, some students are likely to report that, based on this viewing, they do not think Spongebob should be considered appropriate for children. Talk about the challenges they faced. For those who are familiar with the show, does this episode serve as a good example to judge the entire show? This can be used as a launchpad to discuss the pitfalls of testimonials and other evidence that relies on small samples. Ask students to think of compelling testimonials/case studies they have heard about and how this experience is similar to those.
