2.5: Idiographic and nomothetic approaches to psychological investigation

Question 1

What is a ‘nomothetic approach’? Suggest one limitation of a nomothetic approach (2 marks)

Answer 1

A nomothetic approach involves studying a sample in order to formulate principles of behaviour or general laws

Question 2

What is a ‘nomothetic approach’? Suggest one limitation of a nomothetic approach (2 marks).
A nomothetic approach involves studying a sample in order to formulate principles of behaviour or general laws.
One limitation

Answer 2

One limitation is that you cannot find out rich/in-depth information about single cases

OR

It is less meaningful, as it tends to use quantitative measures

Question 3

Which of the following best describes an idiographic approach in psychology? (1 mark)
A: Studying individuals in order to establish general laws of behaviour.
B: Studying individuals without intending to establish general laws of behaviour.
C: Studying large samples in order to establish general laws of behaviour.
D: Studying large samples without intending to establish general laws of behaviour
(1 mark)

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which of the following statements best describes a nomothetic approach in psychology?
Psychologists taking a nomothetic approach…
A: Study single cases and do not formulate general laws.
B: Study groups of people and do not formulate general laws.
C: Study groups of people and formulate general laws.
D: Study single cases and formulate general laws
(1 mark)

Answer 4

C