6. idiographic - nomothetic approaches Flashcards
THE IDIOGRAPHIC-NOMOTHETIC DEBATE
The idiographic approach suggests that
psychology should be the study of individuals because by obtaining lots of detailed information about that individual or group, we can understand human behaviour better.
The nomothetic approach suggests that
psychology should be the study of large and varied groups to make generalisations about. What is typical in different aspects of human behaviour establishing norms and formulating general laws of behaviour.
The number of participants in idiographic research is small - often
a single case (singe individual, group, or institution). Some might include information from family, friends, or others, but the focus is on detail - what we can learn about this individual case. This does not mean generalisations are not made, but the initial focus is on understanding the individual.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH: most idiographic research is qualitative. E.g. research on depression would be based on first-hand accounts from a small number of people (case study). Participants would be
interviewed in depth and the focus may be on how they coped with their experience (unstructured interview). Such data is then analysed, and emergent themes are identified. Conclusions may help other people going through similar experiences, or help mental professionals determine the best practice.
EXAMPLES OF IDIOGRAPHIC STUDIES IN PSYCHOLOGY
most associated with the psychodynamic and the humanistic approaches.
E.g. Rogers sought to explain the process of self-development including the role of unconditional positive regard which was derived from in-depth conversations with clients in therapy.
Freud’s careful observations of individuals were the basis of his explanations of human nature - e.g. the case of little Hans which he used to explain how a phobia may develop.
NOMOTHETIC APPROACH TO PSYCHOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION
The main aim of the nomothetic approach is
generalisation in order to create laws - general principles of behaviour which then could be applied in individual situations.
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH: nomothetic research most closely fits with the traditional models of the scientific method in psychology.
METHODS:
Nomothetic approaches seek to quantify human behaviour.
Hypotheses are formulated, samples of people or animals are assessed in some way (structured questionnaires / psychological tests) and the numerical data produced is analysed for its statistical significance.
NOMOTHETIC EXAMPLES IN PSYCHOLOGY
the behaviourist and biological approaches are nomothetic even though they sometimes use small samples.
E.g. Skinner studied mice to develop general laws of learning through reinforcement - his research looked at one aspect of behaviour using few mice, but its main aim was to establish general laws. Similarly, biological psychology may use a small sample such as Sperry’s split brain research which involved repeated testing as was in part the basis of understanding hemispheric lateralisation.
OBJECTIVE VERSUS SUBJECTIVE
A key difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches is how each relates to subjectivity and objectivity.
The idea of objectivity lies at the heart of the
nomothetic approach - laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way. This ensures true replication occurs across samples of behaviour and removes the influence of bias.
In contrast, the idiographic approach tends to believe objectivity in psychological research is not possible - it is .
people’s individual experiences of their unique context that is important, rather than some underlying reality that is waiting to be discovered
AO3: strength of IDIOGRAPHIC -
COMPLETE ACCOUNT
The idiographic approach contributes to the nomothetic approach.
The idiographic approach uses in-depth qualitative methods of investigation, and this provides a global description of one individual. This may complement the nomothetic approach by shedding further light on general laws or by changing such laws. For example, a single case may generate hypotheses for further study. Cases like HM may reveal important insights about normal functioning which may contribute to our overall understanding.
This suggests that even though the focus is on fewer individuals, the idiographic approach may sill help form scientific laws of behaviour.
AO3: strength of ideographic and nomothetic
SCIENTIFIC CREDIBILITY
Both idiographic and nomothetic approaches fit with the aims of science.
The processes involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in natural sciences, for example establishing objectivity through standardisation, control, and statistical testing. Researchers using the idiographic approach also seek to objectify their methods. For example, triangulation is used whereby findings from a range of different studies using different qualitative methods are compared as a way of increasing their validity.
This suggests that both the nomothetic and the idiographic approaches raise psychology’s status as science.
AO3: limitation of NOMOTHETIC APPROACH
LOSING THE PERSON (e.g. someone with schizophrenia)
The nomothetic approach is a loss of understanding of the individual.
The fact that the nomothetic approach is preoccupied with general laws, prediction and control led to it being accused of losing the whole person within psychology. For example, knowing that there is a 1% lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia tells us little about what life is like for someone who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Understanding the subjective experience of schizophrenia might prove useful when it comes to devising appropriate treatment options.
This means, in its search for generalities, the nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to experience.
