Idiographic and Nomothetic Flashcards
What is the idiographic approach?
The idiographic approach focuses on studying individuals in depth to understand unique behaviors and experiences, often using qualitative methods like case studies.
What is the nomothetic approach?
The nomothetic approach seeks to identify general laws of behavior through the study of large groups, often using quantitative methods like experiments and surveys.
What type of data does the idiographic approach produce?
The idiographic approach produces qualitative data, such as detailed accounts from case studies or interviews, offering insights into unique personal experiences.
What type of data does the nomothetic approach produce?
The nomothetic approach produces quantitative data, such as statistical measures, enabling researchers to identify patterns and make predictions.
Give an example of an idiographic approach in psychology.
Freud’s case study of Little Hans is idiographic, as it provides a detailed analysis of one individual’s phobia to understand psychoanalytic principles.
Give an example of a nomothetic approach in psychology
Milgram’s obedience studies are nomothetic, as they identify general patterns of obedience to authority across a large sample.
How do idiographic and nomothetic approaches differ in their aims?
The idiographic approach aims to understand unique personal experiences, while the nomothetic approach seeks to establish general laws that apply to wider populations
What is a strength of the idiographic approach?
The idiographic approach provides in-depth and detailed insights into behavior, offering rich data that can inspire new theories or challenge existing ones.
What is a limitation of the nomothetic approach?
The nomothetic approach can overlook individual differences, as its focus on general laws may fail to capture the complexity of unique behaviors.
What is the complementary role of the two approaches?
Idiographic and nomothetic approaches complement each other, as idiographic insights can inform nomothetic theories, and general laws can guide individual case interventions.
Why is the idiographic approach important for understanding unique cases?
The idiographic approach highlights the complexity of individual behavior, which can challenge general laws or provide evidence for exceptions, making it valuable for personalized therapies.
How does the nomothetic approach benefit psychology as a science?
The nomothetic approach enhances psychology’s scientific credibility by using standardized, replicable methods to identify patterns, enabling predictions and practical applications.
Why is the idiographic approach criticized for lacking generalizability?
Its reliance on small samples or single cases means findings may not apply to others, limiting its ability to contribute to broader psychological theories.
How does the nomothetic approach risk oversimplification?
By focusing on general laws, the nomothetic approach may fail to capture the nuances of individual experiences, reducing its relevance in personalized contexts like therapy.
How does combining the approaches enhance psychology?
Combining idiographic and nomothetic approaches allows researchers to benefit from both rich, detailed insights and generalizable findings, creating a more holistic understanding of behavior.
