Idiographic & Nomothetic Approaches

Question 1

What is the idiographic approach?

Answer 1

Method which focuses on individuals and emphasises their uniqueness

Question 2

In the idiographic approach, what is used to explain behaviour?

Answer 2

Subjective and rich human experience

Question 3

What type of methods does the idiographic approach use?

Answer 3

Qualitative methods
Case studies
Unstructured interviews
Self-report techniques

Question 4

What are some examples of the idiographic approach?

Answer 4

The psychodynamic approach

The humanistic approach

Question 5

What are strengths of the idiographic approach?

Answer 5

• It’s focus on the individual
• In depth qualitative methods which provides a complete account of the individual
• A single case may generate a hypothesis and further our understanding of human nature

Question 6

What are limitations of the idiographic approach?

Answer 6

• Work is still narrow and restricted
• Oedipus complex was developed from a single case study which means meaningful generalisations cannot be made
• Time consuming

Question 7

What is the nomothetic approach?

Answer 7

looks at similarities in behaviour between humans, looking at what we share with each other

Question 8

What does the nomothetic approach attempt to do?

Answer 8

Summarise the differences between people through generalisations, whilst developing general laws and unifying principles which can be used accurately to predict and control behaviour

Question 9

What type of methods of study does the nomothetic approach use?

Answer 9

Qualitative methods which can be analysed

Scientific lab studies, studying large numbers of people in order to establish in which ways humans are similar

Question 10

What does the nomothetic approach tend to be a feature of?

Answer 10

Reductionism

Question 11

What are some strengths of the nomothetic approach?

Answer 11

• It is far more scientific than the idiographic approach as it takes an evidence based, objective approach to formulate casual laws
• Research is carried out under standardised conditions, allowing for precision and control
• Enables us to make predictions about how people are likely to react in certain circumstances

Question 12

What are some limitations of the nomothetic approach ?

Answer 12

• Ignores the subjective experience of individuals
• In search of generalities the nomothetic approach can overlook human experience
• Nomothetic and idiographic approaches may be complementary to each other, rather than contradictory