Idiographic & Nomothetic approaches Flashcards
1
Q
What does the nomothetic approach look at?
A
How our behaviors are similar to each other as human beings. The term “nomothetic” comes from the Greek word “nomos” meaning “law”.
2
Q
What do psychologists who adopt nomotheric be mainly concerned with?
A
studying what we share with others. That is to say in establishing laws or generalizations. Tend to use quantitative methods.
3
Q
What is the psychometric approach?
A
the study of personality compares individuals in terms of traits or dimensions common to everyone.
4
Q
What are two examples of the nomothetic approach?
A
Hans Eysenck’s type and Raymond Cattell’s 16PF trait theories.
5
Q
What are the strengths of the nomothetic approach?
A
- The nomothetic approach is seen as far more scientific than the idiographic approach, as it takes an evidence based, objective approach to formulate causal laws.
- This enables us to make predictions about how people are likely to react in certain circumstances, which can be very useful e.g. Zimbardo’s findings about how prisoners and guards react in a prison environment.
6
Q
What are the limitations of the nomothetic approach?
A
- Predictions can be made about groups but these may not apply to individuals.
- Approach has been accused of losing sight of the ‘whole person’.
