Dr. Yvonne Reineke/Dr.

Belinda Ramos
ENG101/PSY101
Yvonne.reineke@cgc.edu
Belinda.ramos@cgc.edu

HUMAN LIBRARY PSYCHOLOGICAL CASE STUDY

Case studies in psychology can be beneficial because they can provide detailed information and
insight into the feelings, thoughts, and behaviors of a person who may be unique in some ways.

PURPOSE: To think like a psychologist by writing up a case study informed by ONE particular
psychological theoryfor instance, drive theory, stages of development, theories of motivationshowing
how the theory relates to the case study and gives a deeper perspective on the experience of the human
library subject.

AUDIENCE: Readers outside this classroom who are interested in psychology or the human book
subjects experience (in other words, they have not heard your human book, so they need a full
description of the case study (the human books story/experience), along with a full description of the
relevant theory and its applicability and possible limitations. These readers are intelligent and curious:
they wish to discover a new insight that expands their understanding of that human subjects experience.

VOICE/STYLE/TONE: You will be writing in an objective, formal voice. No I or you or chatty

tone.

LENGTH: 3-4 full double-spaced pages MINIMUM (cover page, abstract, and References page are in
addition to the 3-3.5 full pages of your case study, so the final essay should be about 6-7 pages).

RESEARCH for APA REFERENCESthe following FOUR references need to be used and cited
correctly in your essay and References page:
1 newspaper/magazine article
1 specialized database article (based on library research, Monday, April 17)
1 applicable theory paraphrased fully and clearly from psychology textbook
1 Human Library book subject

DUE DATES: LIBRARY DATABASE RESARCH Monday, April 17 (worksheet)

DRAFT #1: Printed and uploaded draft of case study description, along with paraphrased theoretical
frame, and APA References page due next Wed., April 19. You may already be working on the case study
and theory and writing up possible insights prior to library research, and then weave library material into
it after Monday.
DRAFT #2: April 24printed and uploaded to Canvas
FINAL VERSION DUE: April 28 (Friday)to be uploaded to Canvas

ESSAY ORGANIZATION:

1) APA Cover page in correct format with highly specific title that indicates focus/approach
2) Abstract page
3) INTRODUCTION Introduction paragraph: The introduction should include
a) a description of the Human Library event,
b) location and date of event,
 c) your chosen human book (name of bookyou may give a pseudonym), and the title of the
book.
d) The introductory paragraph should also set up the key issue of the books experience (trauma,
homelessness, PTSD, drug addiction, moral development, gender identitywhichever is the
issue your case study will explore) and you should include the relevant psychological theory
(frame).
e) The introduction should end with a thesis that explains the insight gained through the case
study and theory.

4) BACKGROUND PARAGRAPH(S) on CONTEXT/CASE STUDY (2): General information

about the casehere you describe the books experience/story, including the following:
History or conditions influencing the situation
Current concerns or issues

5) BODY PARAGRAPHS--2: Describe the relevant psychological perspective in detail in your

own wordsparaphrased. Define key terms. (1st paragraph)
Explain and support its relevance to the case under consideration with examples/evidence/critical
thinking and reasoning (2nd paragraph)

6) BODY PARAGRAPHS CONTINUED2

a) Analysis of post-experiential occurrences
b) Accomplishments or aha moment
c) Lessons learned

7) CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH (1 paragraph indicating further directions for research).

8) APA REFERENCES PAGE WITH CITATIONS IN CORRECT APA FORMAT

APA ESSAY FORMAT: EVERYTHING REMAINS DOUBLE-SPACED IN APA (1 inch margins

all aroundTimes New Roman 12 font)

#1) APA cover pagename, title, course info, etc. and capped running head title throughout essay, page
numbers
#2) Abstract page with one paragraph abstract (5-12 sentences)capped running head, page number
#3) Section entitled Introduction (centered under title of essay)--(1 paragraph with thesis at end)
#4) Section entitled Background: Case Studycentered-- (2 paragraphs)
#5) Section entitled Theoretical Approach centered--(2 paragraphs)
#6) Section entitled Outcomes Discussioncentered-(2 paragraphs)
#7) Section entitled Conclusioncentered--(1 paragraph)
#8) References--centeredhanging indents, alphabetical order, double-spaced, capped running head,
page number, etc.