6 - Idiographic + Nomothetic Approaches Flashcards
What does the idiographic vs nomothetic debate question?
The way in which humans should be studied - as unique individuals or as an overall population that fits general laws
Define the idiographic approach
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
What kind of samples are used in the idiographic approach?
Individuals/small groups
What kind of samples are used in the nomothetic approach?
Large groups that are representative of the entire population
Define the nomothetic approach
An approach to understanding human behaviour that focuses on establishing universal laws that fit the entire population
Does the idiographic approach intend to create general universal laws?
No
Does the nomothetic approach intend to create general universal laws?
Yes
What type of research methods are commonly used in the idiographic approach?
Qualitative (case studies, self-reports, unstructured interviews)
What type of research methods are commonly used in the nomothetic approach?
Quantitative (experiments with testable hypotheses, finding averages, finding correlations)
Which approach enables behaviour to be predicted? Why?
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
Which approach is more subjective + less scientific? Why?
Idiographic approach
- Focuses on individuals’ subjective experiences
- Uses qualitative methods which are less scientific + measurable
Which approach is more objective + more scientific? Why?
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
Give 2 examples of where the idiographic approach has been used
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
Despite being an example of taking an idiographic approach to research, why might Freud be seen as nomothetic in some ways?
Freud tried to generalise his conclusions about an individual to fit the entire population
Give 2 examples of where the nomothetic approach has been used
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
What are the 2 evaluation points for the idiographic approach + explain them?
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
Define triangulation
Comparing results from a range of studies to increase a conclusion’s validity
What are the 2 evaluation points for the nomothetic approach + explain them?
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
