Multiple Personality Disorder
(MPD) is a disorder in which
two or more distinct
personalities coexist within
one individual. It is an example
of a neurotic disorder.
Conclusions
Diagnosis of
MPD is very
unreliable.
Women are
more likely to
be diagnosed
than men.
In 1977 Chris Sizemore (Eve’s
real name) wrote ‘I’m Eve’ and
revealed herself as the famous
Eve in TV interviews.
Thigpen and Cleckley were
convinced that they had
witnessed an example of MPD. It
is thought that MPD is usually a
response to child abuse-a way
to protect him/herself.
Evaluation
Strengths
Case study
rich, detailed quan
and qual data
Longitudinal- observe changes
and development over time
Find out the origins and
causes of abnormal behaviour
Weaknesses
Ethical issues
Intrusion into the lives of
her and her family.
Informed consent: it is unclear
whether Eve was able to
make an informed judgement
to participate in the study.
Case Study
Subjective: The close relationship between
researcher and participant may introduce bias.
Cannot be easily generalised as it only
involved one participant who may not
be typical of MPD.
Retrospective data is unreliable as
it is based on memories recalled
from childhood and is prone to bias.
Results/ Findings
Eve White obtained an IQ of
110 and Eve Black 104.
Eve White had a superior
memory than Eve Black.
Eve Black was regressive whilst Eve
White was repressive showing
obsessive-compulsive traits, rigidity and
an inability to deal with her hostility.
Eve White and Jane both had normal
EEG results with 11 cycles per second,
whereas Eve Black's was psychopathic
at 12.5 cycles per second.
Eve White had a superior memory, and Eve
Black an inferior memory.
Method
Aim: To provide an
account of the
treatment of a
25-year-old woman
referred to Thigpen
and Cleckley with
'severe and blinding
headaches'.
case study method
Eve White, a 25
year old married
American woman
14 months, interviews totalling approximately 100 hours
Qual and Quan data
gathered- triangulation
Interviews with her and her
family, hypnosis,
EEG tests and psychometric
and projective tests: Wechsler
memory tests, human figure
drawing and ink blot tests and
IQ tests.