Homework essay title:

• Describe the story of “Little Hans”, giving Freud’s explanation of Hans’ phobia and its cure as well as considering other explanations of the events. What criticisms can you make of Freud’s study and what can be said in his defence?

• Due in Tuesday 21st Nov.

“I can’t do essays!”

• Rubbish!• Structure your work• Make sure you write out the FULL title

and answer EVERY aspect of it. We are not talking pick ‘n’ mix….

• You have to do some background reading about this case study in your textbooks. You cannot rely on class discussion alone.

Essay plan

• Intro: Who is Little Hans and why does Freud want to study him?

• Explanation needed of the Oedipus Complex and the phallic stage of development.

• Summarise the case study.• As you go along you need to give

Freud’s interpretation of events and your own.

• For example, why did Hans want his mother to powder his “widdler”?

• Why did he want to cuddle his mother in bed?

• Why did he want to marry her?• Why was Hans sometimes anxious?• What does the giraffe fantasy

represent?

Essay plan

• Why did Hans develop his “nonsense”? (phobia)

• Here you have to consider a behaviourist explanation. (See next to slides)

• Why did Hans recover from his phobia?• Why did Hans say “Daddy, don’t trot away

from me?”• Why did Hans say “Perhaps. Yes. It’s

possible” when asked “When the horse fell down, did you think of your daddy?”

• Don’t forget to explain the plumber dream!

Essay plan

• Pavlov• Association• Stimulus/response• Aversive

conditioning

• Skinner• Positive

reinforcement• Negative

reinforcement• Punishment

How can we criticise the study?• Can’t generalise• Subjectivity (Hans father)• Freud had already decided on his theory

and was biased in his interpretation of events.

• Children are highly suggestible• Hans’ father used leading questions.• Demand characteristics: Hans was actually

making up stories by the end.• Ethical issues?

What can we say in Freud’s defence?

• He felt he had to ask leading questions• He claims this was not a scientific study,

but therapy.• He claims there were no ill effects on Hans

in adult life.• The “talking cure”: a humane approach to

psychological problems.• His claim that problems in adult life are

directly related to childhood experiences is now widely believed.