I&D Idiographic and nomothetic approach and ethical implications

Question 1

What is the idiographic approach ?

Answer 1

The idea that humans are unique and should be studied in an individual way in detail

Question 2

What is the nomothetic approach ?

Answer 2

Involves studying large samples to create general laws that can be applied to all

Question 3

What type of data is associated with the idiographic approach ?

Answer 3

Qualitative

Question 4

What type of data is associated with the nomothetic approach ?

Answer 4

Quantitative

Question 5

How would you carry out a study using the nomothetic approach ?

Answer 5

1- Write a clear, operationalised hypothesis
2- Obtain a large, fully representative sample size
3- Carry out a method which uses quantitative data
4- Analyse your data using descriptive statistics
5- Accept or reject null hypothesis and form a general theory about human behaviour

Question 6

Give a strength of using the idiographic approach

Answer 6

• Case studies can be used to falsify laws about human behaviour

Question 7

Give a weakness of the idiographic approach

Answer 7

• Highly unscientific as conclusions rely on the interpretation of the researcher so are open to bias

Question 8

Give a strength of the nomothetic approach

Answer 8

• Scientific
• Studying large groups helps patterns to be identified

Question 9

Give a weakness of the nomothetic approach

Answer 9

• Tells us little about what life is like for people with the disorder being investigated into

Question 10

What are ethical implications ?

Answer 10

The consequences of a piece of research

Question 11

If research is socially sensitive, who would these consequences effect ?

Answer 11

• Participants in the research and their friends and family
• Groups in society represented by the research
• Social policy
• The researcher and potentially the institution they work for

Question 12

How should psychologists address socially sensitive research ?

Answer 12

1- Take time to consider any implications before they start
2- Gain fully informed consent from ppts, making negative consequences clear
3- Conduct research sensitively and ensure debriefing
4- Ensure confidentiality

Question 13

Give an advantage of studying socially sensitive topics

Answer 13

• By studying genes linked to mental disorders, researchers now have targets for new drug treatments