Idiographic & Nomothetic Approach

Question 1

What is the nomothetic approach?

Answer 1

• An approach that attempts to study human behaviour through the development of general principles & universal laws
• Usually lab or field experiments - highly controlled
• e.g. Behaviourist,cognitive,biological (brain studies for localisation of function)

Question 2

What is the idiographic approach?

Answer 2

• An approach to research that focuses more on the individual case as a means of understanding behaviour rather than aiming to formulate general laws

Qualitative data (case studies,unstructured interviews,self-report measures)

E.g.humanistic approach & Psychodynamic approach & case studies

Question 3

Give one strength of the nomothetic approach.

Answer 3

• Use of scientific methods in a nomothetic approach means that casual conclusions can often be drawn that can then be applied to real world behaviour.

Question 4

Give another strength of the nomothetic approach.

Answer 4

• Nomothetic approach fits with the aims of science
• The process involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in the natural sciences e.g. establishing objectivity through standardisation, control & statistical testing

Suggests that nomotheitic approach raise psychologys status as a science

Question 5

Give one limitation of the nomothetic approach.

Answer 5

• The nomothetic approach can highlight the ‘what’ of behaviour but not the ‘why’
• A large data set cannot explain the subjective experience of the individual which may be more important & useful than a statistically significant result particularly when it comes to the understanding of mental illness
• This means nomothetic approach lacks external validity

Question 6

Give one strength of the idiographic approach.

Answer 6

• Provides a comprehensive, global understanding of the individual
• This level of detail can lead to better insight into the complex & multi layered nature of individual experience
• Such insight can subsequently form therapies designed to suit individual needs e.g. psychotherapy of rogers client

Question 7

Give one limitation of the idiographic approach.

Answer 7

• Narrow and restricted nature of the work
• It is not possible to generalise the findings from idiographic research to general populations due to the restricted sample size & unique & subjective nature of idiographic studies
• This limits the overall usefulness of the research

Question 8

Give another limitation of the idiographic approach.

Answer 8

• The methods used to study single individuals tend to be subjective which means that they may be prone to various forms of biases e.g.:
• Researcher bias (Researcher becomes overly involves)
• Confirmation bias (researcher looks for examples of behaviour/experience which align with their pre existing ideas).