Idiographic and nomothetic approaches Flashcards
The idiographic-nomothetic debate is centred on two ________ approaches
opposing
The nomothetic approach suggests that psychology should be the study of…
large and varied groups
The nomothetic approach suggests that psychology should be the study of large and varied groups to make…
generalisations about what is typical in different aspects of human behaviour
Which side of the idiographic-nomothetic debate is about establishing norms?
Nomothetic
The idiographic approach suggests that psychology should be the study of what?
Individuals
By obtaining lots of detailed information about an individual, which side of the idiographic-nomothetic debate says we can understand human behaviour better?
Idiographic
True/False: The idiographic approach is only concerned with studying individuals
False, it can be groups as well
True/False: The idiographic-nomothetic debate has implications for the types of research method psychologists use
True
Give an example of how the idiographic-nomothetic debate has implications for the types of research method psychologists use
Whether we study individuals in depth or study larger groups and discuss averages
True/False: There is a sense in which the idiographic and nomothetic approaches overlap
True
There is a sense in which the idiographic and nomothetic approaches overlap and both may have their place within a…
scientific study of the person
In idiographic research, the number of participants is large/small
small
In idiographic research, the number of participants is often single case. What does this mean?
A single individual, group or institution
True/False: Some idiographic research might include information from family, friends, or others
True. Focus is on detail
True/False: Generalisations are never made with idiographic research
False, although the initial focus is about understanding the individual
Most idiographic research is qualitative/quantitative
qualitative
Why would research on depression have been idiographic?
It would’ve been based on first-hand accounts from a small number of people and participants would’ve been interviewed in depth
True/False: In idiographic research, focus may be on a particular facet of human behaviour
True
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?
It would be analysed to identify emergent themes.
Why is identifying emergent themes an important part of idiographic research?
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
The idiographic approach is most associated with which approaches in psychology?
Humanist and psychodynamic approaches
Why is the idiographic approach associated with humanism?
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
Carl Rogers sought to explain the process of self-development including the role of unconditional regard. Where was this derived from?
In-depth conversations with clients in therapy
Why is the idiographic approach associated with the psychodynamic approach?
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
True/False: The idiographic approach contributes to the nomothetic approach
True
The idiographic/nomothetic approach uses in-depth, qualitative methods of investigation
idiographic
The idiographic/nomothetic approach provides a global description one individual
idiographic
How may in-depth qualitative methods of investigation used in the idiographic approach compliment the nomothetic approach?
By shedding further light on general laws or indeed challenging them. A single case may also generate a hypothesis for further study
What is HM an example of in relation to the idiographic-nomothetic debate?
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
There is a narrow and restricted nature of idiographic/nomothetic work
idiographic
When it comes to the idiographic approach, meaningful generalisations cannot be made without…
further examples
When it comes to the idiographic approach, meaningful generalisations cannot be made without further examples. This means there is no…
adequate baseline with which to compare behaviour
Methods associated with the idiographic approach tend to be the most/least scientific
least
Case studies are often associated with the nomothetic/idiographic approach
idiographic
Why do methods such as case studies (as associated with the idiographic approach) tend to be the least scientific?
Conclusions often rely on the subjective interpretation of the researcher and as such, are open to bias
The fact that the idiographic approach is narrow and restricted in its nature suggests that it is difficult to build…
effective general theories of human behaviour in the complete absence of nomothetic research
A key similarity/difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches is how each relates to subjectivity and objectivity
difference
The idea of objectivity lies at the heart of the idiographic/nomothetic approach
nomothetic
Why does the idea of objectivity lie at the heart of the nomothetic approach?
Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way
Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a ____________ and _________ way
standardised, objective
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
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…
contaminating influence of bias
Researchers working within the idiographic approach tend to believe what about objectivity in psychological research?
They tend to believe it is not possible
Why do researchers working within the idiographic approach tend to believe that objectivity in psychological research isn’t possible?
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
In the idiographic approach 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
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?
Idiographic
Why is it important to identify the two approaches (idiographic and nomothetic)?
They are distinct - each is appropriate in different situations for different research aims
In attachment research, Schaffer’s stages describe general stages of development. Is this an example of idiographic or nomothetic research?
Nomothetic
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?
Idiographic
True/False: There is a sense in which idiographic and nomothetic approaches are just two ends of a continuum
True
Millon (1995) explained that when diagnosing personality disorders, for example, how do clinicians use the idiographic and nomothetic approaches?
Clinicians begin with general nomothetic criteria, then use this to focus on the individual and their unique needs
What did Millon (1995) say about the idiographic and nomothetic approaches?
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
What is the main aim of the nomothetic approach?
Generalisation
The main aim of the nomothetic approach is generalisation in order to create…
‘laws’
The main aim of the nomothetic approach is generalisation in order to create ‘laws’, which then…
can be applied to real-world situations, for example, individual situations such as drug therapy
Nomothetic research is qualitative/quantitative
quantitative
Idiographic/nomothetic research most closely fits traditional models of the ‘scientific method’
nomothetic
Hypotheses being formulated is an example of the nomothetic approach fitting the traditional models of what?
The scientific method
True/False: All nomothetic research is on humans
False, sometimes animals too
True/False: Psychological tests cannot be used as part of the nomothetic approach
False, they can
What kind of data is produced from nomothetic research?
Numerical/quantitative
Numerical data is produced by the nomothetic approach and then analysed for its…
statistical significance
The behaviourist approach is idiographic/nomothetic
nomothetic
Although Skinner used small samples, why was his research nomothetic?
He studied animals to develop general las of learning
Skinner’s research looked at one aspect of behaviour in a few animals with the main aim of doing what?
Establishing general laws
Biological psychology makes use of idiographic/nomothetic approaches
Nomothetic
Why is Sperry’s split-brain research an example of nomothetic research?
It involved repeated testing and was in part the basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation
One limitation of the idiographic/nomothetic approach is loss of understanding of the individual
nomothetic
The fact that the nomothetic approach is preoccupied with general laws, prediction and control means it has been accused of…
‘losing the whole person’ within psychology
Knowing that there is a 1% lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia tells us little about…
what life is like for someone who has been diagnosed with the disorder
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
idiographic
In its search for generalities, the idiographic/nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to ‘experience’
nomothetic
The processes involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in what?
Natural sciences
Give 2 examples of how the processes involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in natural sciences
Any 2 from for establishing objectivity through standardisation, control and statistical testing
True/False: Researchers using the idiographic approach also seek to objectify their methods
True
What is triangulation in terms of idiographic research?
Findings from a range of studies using different qualitative methods are compared
Why is triangulation used?
To increase the validity of findings of studies
As a part of the research process, modern qualitative researchers are careful to _______ upon their own biases and preconceptions
reflect
The fact that both idiographic and nomothetic approaches fit with the aims of science raises…
psychology’s status as a science
