idiographic and nomothetic approaches

Question 1

idiographic approach

Answer 1

• involves the study of individuals and the unique insights each individual gives us about human behaviour
• qualitative data

Question 2

nomothetic approach

Answer 2

• involves the study of a large number of people and seems to make generalisations or develop universal laws about their behaviour
• quantitative research

Question 3

strengths of idiographic approach

Answer 3

• focus on individual level
• use of case studies

Question 4

limitations of idiographic approach

Answer 4

• inability to make predictions about behaviour
• not scientific

Question 5

strengths of nomothetic approach

Answer 5

• scientific
• enables predictions of behaviour in response to specific stimuli

Question 6

limitations of nomothetic approach

Answer 6

• time-consuming