idiographic and nomothetic approach

Question 1

define idiographic

Answer 1

taking this view means focusing on the individual and emphasising the unique personal experience of human nature

Question 2

what research methods are idiographic?

Answer 2

case studies
unstructured interviews
thematic analysis
qualitative data

Question 3

explain an idiographic study

Answer 3

Shallice and Warrington (1970) examined the case of Patient KF (who suffered a motorbike accident).
KF’s short-term forgetting of auditory information was greater than his short-term forgetting of visual information.
this contradicted the Multi-store model (which suggested STM is unitary) and suggested that there are separate STM components (supporting Working-memory model)

Question 4

define nomothetic

Answer 4

taking this view means focus on general laws, based on study of large groups of people

Question 5

what research methods are nomothetic?

Answer 5

experiments
correlational research
personality testing
quantitative data

Question 6

explain a nomothetic study using the biological approach

Answer 6

biological approach to explain OCD –> SERT gene helps in the reuptake of serotonin, mutation of the gene causes an increase in transporter proteins, resulting in less serotonin binding to receptors
low serotonin levels are linked with OCD sufferers due to anxiety.
SSRIs are the treatment used for OCD by elevating levels of serotonin by preventing reuptake (treats all patients)

Question 7

explain a nomothetic study using the behaviourist approach

Answer 7

behaviourist approach –> Pavlov and Skinner developed CC and OC respectively, using animal experiments

Question 8

explain a nomothetic study using the cognitive approach

Answer 8

cognitive approach –> uses objective methods of measuring brain activity such as EEG and PET scans
this allows cognitive psychologists to draw inferences about the workings of mental processes

Question 9

positive evaluation for idiographic approach

Answer 9

The case of Patient KF exposed a limitation of the MMM by suggesting STM is not unitary. this led to further research e.g. the WMM, suggesting the STM contains component parts

Question 10

negative evaluation for idiographic approach

Answer 10

Research methods used (e.g. unstructured interviews etc) lack scientific rigour as they rely heavily on subjective interpretation. this leads to researcher bias, reducing reliability of findings and the extent to which they can be generalised
For example, Little Hans (Freud) - use of one sample of a ‘unique childhood experience’ and lack of valid research methods, decreases generalisability

Question 11

positive evaluation for nomothetic approach

Answer 11

use of research methods which objectively produce reliable data through adopting standardised conditions and a high level of control of extraneous and confounding variables.
constituent parts of the target behaviour can be reliably measured through the use of operationalised behavioural categories, thus increasing the internal validity of the findings.
since the findings will not be influenced by researcher bias, the findings have greater scientific creditability due to their method of collection

Question 12

negative evaluation for nomothetic approach

Answer 12

some have criticised the nomothetic approach as ‘losing the whole person’ in psychology due to such an emphasis on establishing universal norms and unifying laws of behaviour
for example, Milgram’s experiment found that 65% of participants obeyed and used 450V, but didn’t investigate why they obeyed (idiographic - interview)
therefore, the nomothetic approach, from this standpoint, has done little to improve people’s lives in comparison to the idiographic approach