Idiographic and nomothetic approaches Flashcards
what is the idiographic approach
The word “idiographic” is derived from the Greek “idios” meaning “private” or “personal”
An approach to research that focuses more on the individual case as a means of understanding behaviour, rather than aiming to formulate general laws of behaviour
what is the nomothetic approach
The word “nomothetic” is derived from the Greek “nomos” meaning “law”.
The nomothetic approach aims to study human behaviour through the development of general principles and universal
what are the implications from the idiographic v nomothetic approach
This debate has implications for the type of research method psychologists use- whether we study individuals in-depth, or study larger groups and discuss averages
There is also a sense in which these two approaches overlap and both have their place within a scientific study of the person
what are the features of idiographic research
the number of participants in idiographic research is small
it is often a single case
Some research might include information from family and friends or others - the focus is on detail
this does not mean that generalisation is not made but the initial focus is on the individual
qualitative or qualitative idiographic research
most idiographic research is qualitative
what is an example of idiographic research in psychology
research on depression wou8ld be based on first-hand accounts from a small number of people (a case study)
Participants would be interviewed in-depth and the focus would be on a particular facet of human behaviour, such as how the participant coped with their experience using an UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEW
Such data is then analysed and emergent themes are identified.
Conclusions may help other people going through similar experiences, to more widely help mental health professionals determine best practice
what are some examples of the idiographic approach in psychology
the idiographic approach is associated with:
- humanistic approach
- psychodynamic approach
e.g. Sigmund and Freud careful observations of individuals were the basis of his explanations of human nature e.g the case of Little Hans was used to explain how phobias developed
what is the main aim of the nomothetic approach
generalisation in order to create “laws” i.e. create the general principle of behaviour (theories) which then, for example, could be applied in individual situations such as drug therapy
qualitative or quatatative nomothetic research
Quantitative
Nomothetic research for traditional models of the “scientific method” in psychology
THIS IS BECAUSE:
Hypotheses are formulated, samples of people are assed, and numerical data is analysed for its statistical significance
what does the nomothetic approach seek out to do
quantify (count) human behaviour
what are some examples of the nomothetic approach in psychology
The behaviourist approach
BF Skinner studies animals to devel[ laws of learning
His research applied to one aspect of behaviour in a few animals but the main aim was to establish general laws
- biological approaches
Roger Sperry’s split-brain research which involved repeated testing and was, in part the basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation
what is are differences between the nomothetic and radiographic approaches
A key difference is how each relate to subjectivity and objectivity
The idea of objectivity lies at the heart of the nomothetic approach
Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessments are delivered in a standardised and objective way
This ensures
- replication
-the influence of bias
Idiographic approach tend to not believe objectivity in psychology is possible
It is people’s individual experiences of their unique context that is important rather than some underlying “reality” that is yet to be discovered
