Psychology Case Study Topic Ideas

Psychology courses often require writing a case study about an individual or a group of people. Case studies are in-depth psychological examinations aiming to gain a deeper understanding of a specific case.

Case studies are common in medicine and psychology, focusing on individuals with rare conditions or experiences challenging to replicate in a laboratory setting.

Here are some ideas and potential topics to help you create an engaging case study:

Selecting a Subject

Before selecting a subject, seek guidance from your instructor and ensure compliance with institutional guidelines.

Your instructor may prefer a particular format for your case study, such as detailed information about the individual, a description of their challenges, a diagnosis, and an explanation of the intervention using one or more therapeutic approaches.

In some instances, you may be allowed to choose a volunteer or someone you know personally, such as a friend or family member. However, the instructor may prefer a more impersonal subject like a historical figure, a famous literary character, or even a fictional character.

Case Study Ideas

Stuck for a compelling case study topic? Here are some ideas to get you started:

Notable Psychologists

Famous or extraordinary individuals can be captivating case study subjects. The history of psychology is filled with intriguing figures whose lives and contributions offer valuable insights.

Consider these prominent thinkers whose fascinating lives could be the focus of a case study:

• Sigmund Freud
• Carl Jung
• B.F. Skinner
• Jean Piaget
• Lev Vygotsky
• William James
• Wilhelm Wundt
• Mary Whiton Calkins

Examining their upbringings, life experiences, and contributions can provide insights into how they developed their theories and approached psychology.

Renowned Psychology Patients

Sometimes, the most fascinating individuals in psychology's history are not the professionals but the individuals they worked with. These patients often have intriguing stories and experiences that can illuminate psychological phenomena.

Here are a few examples of famous psychology patients who would make compelling case studies:

• Anna O. (Bertha Pappenheim)
• Phineas Gage
• Genie (Susan Wiley)
• Kitty Genovese
• Little Albert
• David Reimer
• Chris Costner Sizemore (Eve White/Eve Black)
• Dora (Ida Bauer)
• Patient H.M. (Henry Molaison)

Exploring the lives of these psychology patients can deepen your understanding of their experiences and how diagnosis and treatment methods have evolved over time.

Historical Figures

Historical figures, both renowned and infamous, can serve as excellent subjects for case studies. Here are some influential individuals from history that you might consider studying:

• Eleanor Roosevelt
• Napoleon Bonaparte
• George Washington
• Abraham Lincoln
• Elizabeth I
• Margaret Thatcher
• Rosa Parks
• Walt Disney
• Benjamin Franklin
• John Nash
• Charles Darwin
• Howard Hughes
• Catherine the Great
• Anne Frank
• Pablo Picasso
• Henry VIII
• Malcolm X
• Vincent van Gogh
• Edvard Munch
• Marilyn Monroe
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Andy Warhol
• Salvador Dali

To create a comprehensive case study on these historical figures, delve into their lives and consider the times in which they lived.

Fictional Characters or Literary Figures

Some instructors may allow a more creative approach by exploring the psychology of a fictional character.

Here are a few examples of fictional characters who could be the focus of case studies:

• Macbeth/Lady Macbeth
• Romeo/Juliet
• Hamlet
• Sherlock Holmes
• Norman Bates
• Don Draper
• Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy
• Katniss Everdeen
• Harry Potter/Hermione Granger/Ron Weasley/Severus Snape
• Batman/The Joker
• Atticus Finch
• Mrs. Dalloway
• Dexter Morgan
• Hannibal Lecter/Clarice Starling
• Fox Mulder/Dana Scully
• Forrest Gump
• Patrick Bateman
• Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
• Ellen Ripley
• Michael Corleone
• Randle McMurphy/Nurse Ratched
• Miss Havisham

Additionally, you could also explore the psychology of the authors who brought these characters to life. Here are some literary figures who could be interesting case study subjects:

• William Shakespeare
• Virginia Woolf
• Jane Austen
• Stephen King
• Emily Dickinson
• Sylvia Plath
• J.R.R. Tolkien
• Louisa May Alcott
• Edgar Allan Poe
• J.K. Rowling
• Charles Dickens
• Ernest Hemingway
• F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Mark Twain
• George Orwell
• Maya Angelou
• Kurt Vonnegut
• Agatha Christie
• Toni Morrison
• Daphne du Maurier
• Franz Kafka
• Herman Melville

Utilizing Personal Connections

In some cases, you may be allowed to write your case study on someone you know. However, you may need approval from your institution's Institutional Review Board to conduct a psychological case study on a real person.

Even if it's not required, you might consider using a pseudonym for the individual to protect their identity and privacy.

If you choose to study a real person you know, you'll need to conduct interviews and potentially speak with others who know them well, such as friends and family.

When working with real people, it's crucial to understand the ethical considerations and best practices, particularly informed consent. Collaborate closely with your instructor throughout your project to ensure compliance with all the regulations and maintain a professional approach.