The case of Phineas Gage is an often-cited example of a(n)

• A. double-blind study.
• B. experiment.
• C. laboratory observation.
• D. case study.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of Phineas Gage: He was a railroad construction foreman who survived a severe brain injury that dramatically changed his personality and behavior.
2. Recognize that a case study is an in-depth analysis of an individual, group, or event to explore causation and find underlying principles.
3. Identify that the Phineas Gage incident is a classic example of a case study because it provides detailed information about the effects of brain injury on personality and behavior.
4. Differentiate between a case study and other research methods: A double-blind study involves neither the participants nor the experimenters knowing who is receiving a particular treatment, an experiment involves manipulating variables to determine cause and effect, and laboratory observation involves observing subjects in a controlled environment.
5. Conclude that the Phineas Gage incident is best categorized as a case study due to its focus on a single individual's experience and its contribution to understanding the relationship between brain function and behavior.