evaluation of idiographic and nomothetic

Question 1

strength of idiographic with limitation at end

Answer 1

provides us with a complete explanation, the idiographic approach uses an in-depth qualitative methods which provide a whole explanation of the individual and can complement the nomothetic approach as it would give more insight into general laws or even challenge them, this is a strength because we can reveal insight about normal functioning which can enhance our understanding and we can reach an overall explanation HOWEVER, suggest idiographic methods are still limited as they cannot be used in isolation to generate general laws of human behaviour

Question 2

strength of nomothetic

Answer 2

High scientific credibility, establishes objectivity to standardisation, however idiographic has tried being scientific to make it more objective for example the use of triangulation so comparing different findings from different studies using different methods. Though idiographic does try to be more scientific the nomothetic approach is more in line with truly objective and scientific approaches but BOTH ARE CREDIBLE

Question 3

limitation of nomothetic

Answer 3

It can lose the person, because number take approaches is preoccupied with general laws prediction and control, it can tell us a little about what life is like with someone for example with schizophrenia which is a limitation because we need to understand the subjective experience as it can be useful when it comes to forming appropriate treatment options