Idiographic & Nomothetic Approaches Flashcards
Name 3 main features of the idiographic approach
- emphasis uniqueness of individual
- Looks at subjective experiences
- More depth insight
Name 3 features of the nomothetic approach
- Aims to formulate general laws about behaviour
- The laws show how people are similar (allowing comparisons)
- More in line with science
What research methods are used using the idiographic approach?
- case studies
- interviews
- self report methods
What research methods are used using the nomothetic approach?
Quantitative methods - experiments
questionnaires
- using large samples
Name 2 examples of an approach that uses the idiographic approach
Humanist Approach
Psychodynamic Approach
Explain how the Humanist approach uses the idiographic approach
- Focuses on the individuals conscious experiences
- Concepts of the approach include hierarchy of needs + person-centred therapy
Explain how the psychodynamic approach uses the idiographic approach
Case study of 5yr boy fear of being bitten by horse
Thought to have stem from boy seeing horse die on street
Interpreted as boy’s fear of being castrated by father
What did Radford and Kirby suggest?
Application of the nomothetic approach in psychology has produced 3 broad types of general law
What are the 3 types of general law suggested by Radford and Kirby?
- Classifying people into groups
- Establishing dimensions (used to assess people + compare)
- Establishing principles of behaviour
Example of ‘classifying people into groups’
DSM classifying people suffering w/ mental disorders
Example of ‘establishing dimensions’
Use of normal distribution curve
used to compare IQ scores - see if they were above or below average
Example of ‘establishing principles of behaviour’
Behaviourism
CC used to explain human behaviours such as acquiring a phobia + forming an attachment
Biological approach
Explains OCD behaviour (genetics + neurotransmitters)
