6 - Idiographic + Nomothetic Approaches

Question 1

What does the idiographic vs nomothetic debate question?

Answer 1

The way in which humans should be studied - as unique individuals or as an overall population that fits general laws

Question 2

Define the idiographic approach

Answer 2

An approach to understanding human behaviour that focuses on the individual, who is perceived as unique, rather than aiming to formulate general laws on behaviour

Question 3

What kind of samples are used in the idiographic approach?

Answer 3

Individuals/small groups

Question 4

What kind of samples are used in the nomothetic approach?

Answer 4

Large groups that are representative of the entire population

Question 5

Define the nomothetic approach

Answer 5

An approach to understanding human behaviour that focuses on establishing universal laws that fit the entire population

Question 6

Does the idiographic approach intend to create general universal laws?

Answer 6

No

Question 7

Does the nomothetic approach intend to create general universal laws?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

What type of research methods are commonly used in the idiographic approach?

Answer 8

Qualitative (case studies, self-reports, unstructured interviews)

Question 9

What type of research methods are commonly used in the nomothetic approach?

Answer 9

Quantitative (experiments with testable hypotheses, finding averages, finding correlations)

Question 10

Which approach enables behaviour to be predicted? Why?

Answer 10

Nomothetic approach

• Scientific methods used to create general laws about the cause + effect of behaviours
• This allows behaviours to be predicted, as trends are found

Question 11

Which approach is more subjective + less scientific? Why?

Answer 11

Idiographic approach

• Focuses on individuals’ subjective experiences
• Uses qualitative methods which are less scientific + measurable

Question 12

Which approach is more objective + more scientific? Why?

Answer 12

Nomothetic approach

• Focuses on creating general laws of science
• Uses objective, measurable research methodology which can be repeated to yield the same result multiple times

Question 13

Give 2 examples of where the idiographic approach has been used

Answer 13

Humanistic psychologists

• Emphasise studying the unique individual
• Qualitative research methods used to gain detailed data on the ppt
• E.g. Importance of unconditional positive regard when achieving self-actualisation was understood through qualitative unstructured interviews

Freud

• Emphasises studying the unique individual in detail
• Used case studies
• E.g. Study of Little Albert to understand phobias

Question 14

Despite being an example of taking an idiographic approach to research, why might Freud be seen as nomothetic in some ways?

Answer 14

Freud tried to generalise his conclusions about an individual to fit the entire population

Question 15

Give 2 examples of where the nomothetic approach has been used

Answer 15

Biological psychologists

• Pinpoint biological factors as the general cause for psychological disorders such as OCD
• This general law on causation is used to establish a general treatment given to all sufferers (e.g. SSRIs)

Behaviourists - e.g. Skinner

• Skinner used quantitative methods to investigate operant conditioning
• Conducted experiments on animals
• Generalised findings into universal laws about human behaviour based around operant conditioning

Question 16

What are the 2 evaluation points for the idiographic approach + explain them?

Answer 16

POS: Unique case studies can improve + challenge general laws

• In depth, qualitative research sheds further light on laws
• E.g. KF + HM allowed for challenging of MSM of memory + development of the improved WMM
• The idiographic approach can therefore complement the nomothetic approach + help progress our psychological knowledge

NEG: Less scientific credibility

• Doesn’t use quantitative methods that are seen as objective, scientific + reliable
• May be seen as less valid results
• BUT triangulation can increase validity + scientific credibility

Question 17

Define triangulation

Answer 17

Comparing results from a range of studies to increase a conclusion’s validity

Question 18

What are the 2 evaluation points for the nomothetic approach + explain them?

Answer 18

POS: Discovery of general laws allows for general treatments

• General laws predict cause + effect of behaviour
• Treatments can be developed to target the generally accepted cause
• E.g. Generally accepted cause of OCD is low serotonin - develop SSRIs
• Treatments based on nomothetic principles so can be applied universally, which is economic (cheaper to not analyse each individual)

NEG: May lose sight of the individual

• Focuses mainly on establishing general laws
• May fail to understand the individual as well as possible, preventing the best treatment of that person
• E.g. Therapy on top of drugs can help
• Nomothetic approach alone may not treat an individual in the best, most personal way