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Psychology - IN FOCUS Issues and debates in Psychology > Idiographic and nomothetic approaches > Flashcards

Idiographic and nomothetic approaches Flashcards

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1
Q

The idiographic-nomothetic debate is centred on two ________ approaches

A

opposing

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2
Q

The nomothetic approach suggests that psychology should be the study of…

A

large and varied groups

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3
Q

The nomothetic approach suggests that psychology should be the study of large and varied groups to make…

A

generalisations about what is typical in different aspects of human behaviour

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4
Q

Which side of the idiographic-nomothetic debate is about establishing norms?

A

Nomothetic

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5
Q

The idiographic approach suggests that psychology should be the study of what?

A

Individuals

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6
Q

By obtaining lots of detailed information about an individual, which side of the idiographic-nomothetic debate says we can understand human behaviour better?

A

Idiographic

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7
Q

True/False: The idiographic approach is only concerned with studying individuals

A

False, it can be groups as well

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8
Q

True/False: The idiographic-nomothetic debate has implications for the types of research method psychologists use

A

True

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9
Q

Give an example of how the idiographic-nomothetic debate has implications for the types of research method psychologists use

A

Whether we study individuals in depth or study larger groups and discuss averages

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10
Q

True/False: There is a sense in which the idiographic and nomothetic approaches overlap

A

True

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11
Q

There is a sense in which the idiographic and nomothetic approaches overlap and both may have their place within a…

A

scientific study of the person

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12
Q

In idiographic research, the number of participants is large/small

A

small

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13
Q

In idiographic research, the number of participants is often single case. What does this mean?

A

A single individual, group or institution

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14
Q

True/False: Some idiographic research might include information from family, friends, or others

A

True. Focus is on detail

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15
Q

True/False: Generalisations are never made with idiographic research

A

False, although the initial focus is about understanding the individual

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16
Q

Most idiographic research is qualitative/quantitative

A

qualitative

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17
Q

Why would research on depression have been idiographic?

A

It would’ve been based on first-hand accounts from a small number of people and participants would’ve been interviewed in depth

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18
Q

True/False: In idiographic research, focus may be on a particular facet of human behaviour

A

True

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19
Q

In idiographic research into depression, focus may be on how participants cope with an experience using a fairly unstructured interview. What would then happen to this data?

A

It would be analysed to identify emergent themes.

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20
Q

Why is identifying emergent themes an important part of idiographic research?

A

Conclusions may help other people going through similar experiences or more widely, may help professionals determine best practice in the example of research into coping with depression

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21
Q

The idiographic approach is most associated with which approaches in psychology?

A

Humanist and psychodynamic approaches

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22
Q

Why is the idiographic approach associated with humanism?

A

Carl Rogers sought to explain the process of self-development including the role of unconditional positive regard. This was derived from in-depth conversations with clients in therapy

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23
Q

Carl Rogers sought to explain the process of self-development including the role of unconditional regard. Where was this derived from?

A

In-depth conversations with clients in therapy

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24
Q

Why is the idiographic approach associated with the psychodynamic approach?

A

Freud’s 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 a phobia might develop

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25
Q

True/False: The idiographic approach contributes to the nomothetic approach

A

True

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26
Q

The idiographic/nomothetic approach uses in-depth, qualitative methods of investigation

A

idiographic

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27
Q

The idiographic/nomothetic approach provides a global description one individual

A

idiographic

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28
Q

How may in-depth qualitative methods of investigation used in the idiographic approach compliment the nomothetic approach?

A

By shedding further light on general laws or indeed challenging them. A single case may also generate a hypothesis for further study

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29
Q

What is HM an example of in relation to the idiographic-nomothetic debate?

A

A piece of idiographic research that complemented the nomothetic approach as this single case generated hypotheses for further study - HM may reveal important insights about normal functioning which may contribute to our overall understanding

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30
Q

There is a narrow and restricted nature of idiographic/nomothetic work

A

idiographic

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31
Q

When it comes to the idiographic approach, meaningful generalisations cannot be made without…

A

further examples

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32
Q

When it comes to the idiographic approach, meaningful generalisations cannot be made without further examples. This means there is no…

A

adequate baseline with which to compare behaviour

33
Q

Methods associated with the idiographic approach tend to be the most/least scientific

A

least

34
Q

Case studies are often associated with the nomothetic/idiographic approach

A

idiographic

35
Q

Why do methods such as case studies (as associated with the idiographic approach) tend to be the least scientific?

A

Conclusions often rely on the subjective interpretation of the researcher and as such, are open to bias

36
Q

The fact that the idiographic approach is narrow and restricted in its nature suggests that it is difficult to build…

A

effective general theories of human behaviour in the complete absence of nomothetic research

37
Q

A key similarity/difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches is how each relates to subjectivity and objectivity

A

difference

38
Q

The idea of objectivity lies at the heart of the idiographic/nomothetic approach

A

nomothetic

39
Q

Why does the idea of objectivity lie at the heart of the nomothetic approach?

A

Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way

40
Q

Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a ____________ and _________ way

A

standardised, objective

41
Q

Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way. This ensures…

A

true replication occurs across samples of behaviour

42
Q

Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way. This ensures true replication occurs across samples of behaviour and removes…

A

contaminating influence of bias

43
Q

Researchers working within the idiographic approach tend to believe what about objectivity in psychological research?

A

They tend to believe it is not possible

44
Q

Why do researchers working within the idiographic approach tend to believe that objectivity in psychological research isn’t possible?

A

It’s people’s individual experience of their unique context that is important rather than some underlying reality ‘out there’ that is waiting to be discovered

45
Q

In the idiographic approach it’s people’s individual experience of their unique context that is important rather than…

A

some underlying reality ‘out there’ that is waiting to be discovered

46
Q

It’s people’s individual experience of their unique context that is important rather than some underlying reality ‘out there’ that is waiting to be discovered. This standpoint is an example of which side of the idiographic-nomothetic debate?

A

Idiographic

47
Q

Why is it important to identify the two approaches (idiographic and nomothetic)?

A

They are distinct - each is appropriate in different situations for different research aims

48
Q

In attachment research, Schaffer’s stages describe general stages of development. Is this an example of idiographic or nomothetic research?

A

Nomothetic

49
Q

In attachment research, case studies of extreme neglect highlight the subjective experience of never having formed an attachment. Is this an example of idiographic or nomothetic research?

A

Idiographic

50
Q

True/False: There is a sense in which idiographic and nomothetic approaches are just two ends of a continuum

A

True

51
Q

Millon (1995) explained that when diagnosing personality disorders, for example, how do clinicians use the idiographic and nomothetic approaches?

A

Clinicians begin with general nomothetic criteria, then use this to focus on the individual and their unique needs

52
Q

What did Millon (1995) say about the idiographic and nomothetic approaches?

A

There is a sense in which the approaches are just two ends of a continuum, and it may be better to use them in this way

53
Q

What is the main aim of the nomothetic approach?

A

Generalisation

54
Q

The main aim of the nomothetic approach is generalisation in order to create…

A

‘laws’

55
Q

The main aim of the nomothetic approach is generalisation in order to create ‘laws’, which then…

A

can be applied to real-world situations, for example, individual situations such as drug therapy

56
Q

Nomothetic research is qualitative/quantitative

A

quantitative

57
Q

Idiographic/nomothetic research most closely fits traditional models of the ‘scientific method’

A

nomothetic

58
Q

Hypotheses being formulated is an example of the nomothetic approach fitting the traditional models of what?

A

The scientific method

59
Q

True/False: All nomothetic research is on humans

A

False, sometimes animals too

60
Q

True/False: Psychological tests cannot be used as part of the nomothetic approach

A

False, they can

61
Q

What kind of data is produced from nomothetic research?

A

Numerical/quantitative

62
Q

Numerical data is produced by the nomothetic approach and then analysed for its…

A

statistical significance

63
Q

The behaviourist approach is idiographic/nomothetic

A

nomothetic

64
Q

Although Skinner used small samples, why was his research nomothetic?

A

He studied animals to develop general las of learning

65
Q

Skinner’s research looked at one aspect of behaviour in a few animals with the main aim of doing what?

A

Establishing general laws

66
Q

Biological psychology makes use of idiographic/nomothetic approaches

A

Nomothetic

67
Q

Why is Sperry’s split-brain research an example of nomothetic research?

A

It involved repeated testing and was in part the basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation

68
Q

One limitation of the idiographic/nomothetic approach is loss of understanding of the individual

A

nomothetic

69
Q

The fact that the nomothetic approach is preoccupied with general laws, prediction and control means it has been accused of…

A

‘losing the whole person’ within psychology

70
Q

Knowing that there is a 1% lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia tells us little about…

A

what life is like for someone who has been diagnosed with the disorder

71
Q

Understanding the subjective experience of schizophrenia might prove useful when it comes to devising appropriate treatment options, for example. This subjective research would be an example of idiographic/nomothetic research

A

idiographic

72
Q

In its search for generalities, the idiographic/nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to ‘experience’

A

nomothetic

73
Q

The processes involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in what?

A

Natural sciences

74
Q

Give 2 examples of how the processes involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in natural sciences

A

Any 2 from for establishing objectivity through standardisation, control and statistical testing

75
Q

True/False: Researchers using the idiographic approach also seek to objectify their methods

A

True

76
Q

What is triangulation in terms of idiographic research?

A

Findings from a range of studies using different qualitative methods are compared

77
Q

Why is triangulation used?

A

To increase the validity of findings of studies

78
Q

As a part of the research process, modern qualitative researchers are careful to _______ upon their own biases and preconceptions

A

reflect

79
Q

The fact that both idiographic and nomothetic approaches fit with the aims of science raises…

A

psychology’s status as a science

Psychology - IN FOCUS Issues and debates in Psychology (4 decks)

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