Idiographic & Nomothetic Flashcards
Define the idiographic approach.
The idiographic approach centers on individuals, highlighting their unique and personal experiences. The term comes from the Greek word ‘idios,’ meaning ‘own’ or ‘private.’ Psychologists using this approach aim to understand the specific traits and experiences that make each person distinct.
Define the nomothetic approach.
The nomothetic approach is focused on establishing general laws or principles. The term comes from the Greek word ‘nomos,’ meaning ‘law.’ Psychologists using a nomothetic approach study large groups of people and employ statistical techniques to analyze data. The aim is to identify and understand general patterns, trends, or laws that apply to a broader population.
Provide an example of an idiographic approach in psychology.
An idiographic approach in psychology involves studying a specific individual’s unique experiences, behaviors, and psychological processes. For example, examining a person’s life history, struggles, and development, like the famous case study of Phineas Gage, is an idiographic approach. This method helps gain a detailed understanding of the individual’s unique characteristics and how they shape their psychological makeup.
Provide an example of a nomothetic approach in psychology.
A nomothetic approach in psychology involves using large-scale surveys or experiments to find general trends or patterns that apply to a broader population. For example, studying a large group of college students to see the correlation between sleep duration and academic performance is a nomothetic approach. The aim is to establish general laws or principles applicable to a wider group through statistical analysis of the data.
What distinguishes idiographic from nomothetic approaches in psychology?
The key difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches in psychology is their focus. Idiographic approaches aim to understand individual aspects of human behavior, while nomothetic approaches focus on establishing general laws or principles for larger groups. Idiographic methods delve into individual cases, while nomothetic methods use statistics to identify patterns and trends across populations.
What are examples of an idiographic approach in psychology?
- Case Studies: Shallice and Warrington’s study of Patient KF challenged memory theories.
- Freud’s case studies, like Little Hans and The Rat Man, exemplify the idiographic approach, linking disorders to unique childhood experiences.
How does biological psychology adopt a nomothetic approach?
Biological psychologists explain psychological disorders, like OCD and depression, by identifying general biological factors, such as neurotransmitters. Biological therapies, such as drugs, are then applied universally to treat patients.
How do behaviourists adopt a nomothetic approach?
Behaviourists, including Pavlov and Skinner, conducted experiments with animals to establish general laws of learning (classical and operant conditioning) that could be generalized to both humans and non-human animals.
How do cognitive psychologists adopt a nomothetic approach?
Cognitive psychologists, exemplified by Atkinson and Shiffrin, developed general laws, such as the Multi-Store Model of Memory, with the belief that these principles could be applied universally to all individuals.
How do social psychologists adopt a nomothetic approach?
Social psychologists like Milgram and Asch used a nomothetic approach to draw general conclusions about human behavior, asserting that situational factors play a role in both obedience and conformity across diverse populations.
How is a nomothetic approach seen in psychopathology?
Classification manuals like DSM-V and ICD-10 adopt a nomothetic approach in the field of psychopathology. They classify individuals with psychological disorders based on specific symptoms, aiming to categorise and understand disorders universally.
