Idiographic and Nomothetic - AO1 Flashcards
What does the idiographic approach have an emphasis on?
The self.
What do idiographic psychologists claim?
That individuals are unique and generalisation made from quantitative methods are irrelevant as they do not describe the nature of the individual.
What are three methods that are used in the idiographic approach?
Self reflections, self reports and case studies.
What are the two examples of the idiographic approach within psychology?
- Humanistic psychology.
- Psychodynamic apprach.
Explain humanistic psychology as an example for the idiographic approach.
Only interested in the experience of the individual and only concerned with investigating unique experience.
Explain the psychodynamic approach as an example of the idiographic approach?
Freud used the case study meths to create his assumptions.
What does the nomothetic approach state?
That we are able to draw conclusions about populations from smaller groups.
What does the nomothetic approach seek?
To establish general laws about behaviour.
What are the general laws about behaviour that are made within the nomothetic approach used for?
As benchmarks against which people can be compared, classified and measured.
What is the favoured type of testing within the nomothetic approach?
Why?
Empirical (lab) testing.
Because large numbers of ppts are tested and similarities in behaviour are found.
What are the three examples of the nomothetic approach found in psychology.
- Behaviourism.
- Cognitive.
- Biological.
Explain behaviourism as an example for the nomothetic approach.
Cause and effect of conditioning (Reward/Punishment).
Explain cognitive as an example of the nomothetic approach.
Memory models are applied to all as a psychological law os attention, retention and recall.
Explain biological as an example of the nomothetic approach.
All biological testing is nomothetic.
