idiographic and nomothetic Flashcards
What does the idiographic approach suggest
Psychology should be the study of individuals because by obtaining lots of detailed information about that individual or group we can understand human behaviour
What does the nomothetic approach suggest
Psychology should be the study of large and varied groups to make generalisations about what is typical in different aspects of human behaviour i.e. establishing norms
what is the idiographic approach to psychological investigation
the number of participants in idiographic research is small, often a single case (individual, group or institution). Some research might include information from family, friends or others, but the focus is on detail. This does not mean that generalisations are not made - but the initial focus is about understanding the individual.
- Qualitative research 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 a particular facet of human behaviour, such as how the participants coped with their experience (using a fairly unstructured interview). Such data is then analysed and emergent themes are identified. Conclusions may help other people going through similar experiences, or more widely, may help mental health professionals determine best practice.
Examples of the idiographic approach in psychology
- most associated with he humanistic and psychodynamic approaches
- Rogers explained the process of self development including the role of unconditional positive regard which was derived from in-depth conversations with client in therapy
- Freud’s careful observations of individuals were the basis of his explanation of human nature, for example the case of Little Hans was used to explain how a phobia might develop
- Many memory studies e.g. Multi store model of memory support:
- HM’s hippocampus was removed from his brain to reduce severe epilepsy. He was unable to encode new LT memories, although his STM seemed unaffected = separate stores
- Clive Wearing - suffered brain damage as a result of a virus. He is unable to lay down new long-term memories but can hold a conversation and has a working STM.
What is the nomothetic approach to psychological investigation
The main aim of the nomothetic approach is generalisation in order to create ‘laws’ i.e. general principles of behaviour (theories) which then, for example, could be applied in individual situations such as drug therapy
There are 3 kinds of general laws of human behaviour:
1) Classifying people into groups
- i.e. the DSM-V having criteria for Schizophrenia
2) Establishing principles of behaviour:
- i.e. obedience theories establishing that people are capable of obscene acts
3) Establishing dimensions on which people can be placed and compared on
- i.e. comparing people due to IQ or Eysenck’s personality types
- Quantitative research - nomothetic research most fits traditional models of the ‘scientific method’ in psychology. Hypotheses are formulated, sampled of people (or sometimes animals) are assessed in some way e.g. structured questionnaire or psychological tests, and the numerical data produced is analysed for its statistical significance. Nomothetic approaches seek to quantify human behaviour
Nomothetic approach examples in psychology
- most associated with behaviourist and biological approaches
- e.g. skinner studied animals to develop the general laws of learning - looked at one aspect of behaviour in a few animals but main aim was to establish general laws
- Split-brain research which involved repeated testing was the basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation - SPERRY
What is a difference between idiographic and nomothetic
- Each relates to subjectivity and objectivity
- Nomothetic = objectivity - 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 removed contaminating influence of bias
WHEREAS - Idiographic - don’t believe objectivity in psychological research is possible
- Individual learning experience of their unique context is what’s important, rather than some underlying reality ‘out there’ waiting to be discovered
Evaluation
COMPLETE ACCOUNT
P - One strength of the idiographic approach is that it contributes to the nomothetic approach
E - 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. For example, a single case may generate hypotheses for further studies, described as the pebble that starts an avalanche. Cases like HM may reveal important insights into normal functioning which may contribute to our overall understanding.
E - This suggests that even though the focus is on fewer individuals, the idiographic approach may still help form ‘scientific’ laws of behaviour
HOWEVER..
that said, supporters of the idiographic approach should still acknowledge the narrow and restricted nature of their work. Meaningful generalisations cannot be made without further examples, as this means there is no adequate baseline with which to compare behaviour. In addition, methods associated with the idiographic approach such as case studies, tend to be the least scientific in that conclusions often rely on the subjective interpretation of the researcher and as such are open to bias. This suggests that it is difficult to build effective general theories of human behaviour in the complete absence of nomothetic research.
SCIENTIFIC CREDIBILITY
P - One strength of both approaches is that they fit with the aims of science
E - The processes involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in the natural sciences, for example establishing objectivity through standardisation, control and statistical testing. However, researchers using the idiographic approach also seek to objectify their methods. For example, triangulation is used whereby findings from a range of studies using different qualitative methods are compared as a way of increasing their validity. Also, modern qualitative researchers are careful to reflect upon their own biases and preconceptions as part of the research process.
E - This suggests that both the nomothetic and idiographic approaches raise psychology’s status as a science
LOSING THE PERSON
P - One limitation of the nomothetic approach is loss of understanding of the individual.
E - The fact that the nomothetic approach is preoccupied with general laws, prediction and control, means it has been accused of ‘losing the whole person’ within psychology. For example, knowing that their is a 1% lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia tells us little about what life is like for someone diagnosed with the disorder. Understanding the subjective experience of schizophrenia might well prove useful when it comes to devising appropriate treatment options.
E - This means, it its search for generalities, the nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to ‘experience’.
Idiographic approach strengths and limitations
STRENGTHS
Qualitative data - in detail, depth
Complete and global account of the individual.
LIMITATIONS
Lacks falsifiability - not a way to test it
Psychological fact has been produced based on one case study.
Meaningful generalisations cannot be made.
It’s not scientific as is based on the subjective interpretation of the researcher.
Strengths and limitations of nomothetic approach
STRENGTHS
Processes tend to be more scientific than idiographic.
More replicable.
Gives psychology more scientific credibility.
LIMITATIONS
Ignores individual differences (loses the ‘whole person’).
Ignores individual experiences.
Quantitative data - lacks depth
How does attachment relate to these approaches
Bowlby’s theory of maternal deprivation was established through a nomothetic approach and stated that extreme maternal deprivation shall lead to permanent long-term negative affects on development.
HOWEVER:
A case study of Czech twins showed maternal deprivation is not irreversible. The identical twins had spent most of their first seven years of life locked in a cellar. When they were found they could not understand language and were in a very poor physical condition. They were fostered and by the age of 14 they were normal!
