The use of the computer in life history research

Abstract

Methodological difficulties in conducting large-scale life history studies and the role of the computer in resolving data gathering and data analysis problems are explored. The processing capabilities of the computer are also examined as a means of advancing the area of life history research.Life history research attempts to assess the importance of previous life experiences in influencing current mental state. Although it was inspired by the psychoanalytic viewpoint, its execution has been rigorously statistical. It has developed out of epidemiology and the investigation of the prevalence of various types of psychiatric illness in selected population groups. Life history research had its beginnings in the isolation of specific characteristics from the routine case histories of mental hospital populations (Malzberg, 1940) and the attempts of researchers to ascertain whether the incidence of such characteristics was greater than might be expected. Unfortunately, life stories of members of the general public have not been available for comparison, and the efforts of various workers to overcome this disadvantage have become noteworthy.The relevance of computers in traditional life history research relates to the fact that the incidence of many familial characteristics is low. For example, the incidence of the death of a mother before the age of 10 years (a frequently researched experience) is approximately 4%. Thus, one needs 1,000 cases in order to obtain 40 examples. If one wishes to examine this experience's effect upon different diagnostic groups, one needs larger numbers. If one wishes to examine factors that might modify or enhance its effect, one needs still larger numbers. A need for the computer in this field of research to process and analyze large volumes of data is apparent.