Idiographic and Nomothetic approach Flashcards
Idiographic and nomothetic debate
Idiographic (detail in single cases) or nomothetic (establish norms or laws)
Idiographic approach
An approach to research that focuses more on the individual case as a means of understanding behaviour rather than aiming to formulate general laws or behaviour
Nomothetic approach
The number thetic approach aims to study human behaviour through the development of general principles and universal laws
Idiographic approach to psychological investigation- Qualitative research
Thematic analysis of interviews, may make generalisations
Idiographic approach to psychological investigation- Examples
Rogers (unconditional positive regard, based on individual clients) Freud (phobia- little Hans)
Nomothetic approach to psychological investigation- Quantitative research
Hypothesis-testing, statistical analysis, seek to quantify behaviour
Nomothetic approach to psychological investigation- Examples
Skinner (laws of learning), Sperry (split-brain research)
Objective vs Subjective
Nomothetic = objective
Idiographic = subjective
Idiographic and Nomothetic evaluation points- Complete account
STRENGTH of idiographic
Idiographic complements nomothetic e.g. case study of HM informs understanding memory
Idiographic and Nomothetic evaluation points- Complete account counterpoint
LIMITATION of idiographic
Idiographic approach on own is restricted, no baseline for comparison, also unscientific and subjective
Idiographic and Nomothetic evaluation points- Scientific credibility
STRENGTH
Objectivity e.g. nomothetic (standardisation, control) and idiographic (triangulation, reflexivity)
Idiographic and Nomothetic evaluation points- Losing the person
LIMITATION
Nomothetic approach focuses on statistics (1% risk for SZ), overlooks the experience, useful for devising therapy
