Case-Based Studies as a Source of Unity in Applied Psychology.

Abstract

To unify or not to unify applied psychology: That is the question. In this chapter we review pendulum swings in the historical efforts to answer this question, from a comprehensive, positivist, "top-down," deductive yes between the 1930s and the early 1960s to a postmodern no since then and until recently. We then present a rationale and proposal for a limited, "bottom-up," inductive yes, using a case-based paradigm that integrates both positivist and postmodern themes and components. We call this paradigm pragmatic psychology and its specific use of case studies the pragmatic case study method (PCS method), because it calls for the creation of peerreviewed journal-databases of pragmatic case studies. To illustrate the general potential of the PCS method, we begin with a specific psychotherapy case, which provides the reader with a concrete entree into the PCS method. 1

Empirically supported treatments in psychotherapy: towards an evidence-based or evidence-biased psychology in clinical settings?

“…Amongst the alternatives to the traditional evidence-based movement the Pragmatic Houses Study Method (Fiedler, 2001 ; Fishman and Messer, 2004 ; Messer, 2004 ) could be interesting: it is characterized by systematic and largely qualitative case studies that focus on practical results. Another useful approach is the Hermeneutic Single-Case Efficacy Design (Elliott, 2001 ) which comprises the use of quantitative and qualitative information, direct and indirect evidences to create a rich database with single-case records.…”

Toward unification of clinical science: The next wave in the evolution of psychotherapy?

“…Safran and Messer believed that there were inherent difficulties when the field moved away from pluralism to a single unified theory, derived from what might be a misunderstanding of the philosophy of science, and how basic assumptions signify the model. In a later chapter, Fishman and Messer (2004) cautiously considered unification but believed that it should not be in the form of a grand unifying theory, which they believed to be inherently problematic.…”

Evidence-based practice: Beyond empirically supported treatments.

“…The Pragmatic Case Study Method Fishman (1999Fishman ( , 2001Fishman & Messer, 2004) has proposed that the basic unit of knowledge in applied psychology-whose ultimate purpose is to improve the condition of individuals, groups, families, organizations, or communities-should be the individual case. His pragmatic case study method (PCSM) refers to systematic, largely qualitative case studies that are focused on practical results.…”