Idiographic & nomothetic approaches to psychological investigation Flashcards
State the definition of Idiographic
Focuses on individuals and emphasises uniqueness, favours qualitative methods in research (lab studies) specific to a person
State the definition of Nomothetic
Seeks to make general laws about behaviour based on the study of groups and the use of quantitative methods (case studies, observation) specific to a whole social group
Which approach is both idiographic & nomothetic
Psychodynamic approach
Which approaches are considered idiographic
Humanistic approach
Which approaches are considered nomothetic
- Cognitive approach
- Behaviourist approach
- SLT approach
- Biological approach
Why is the Humanistic approach considered idiographic?
Focuses on the subjective human experience and makes no attempts to establish general laws
Why is the Cognitive approach considered nomothetic?
Attempts to establish general laws of cognitive process but utilises an idiographic approach with case studies
Why is the Biological approach considered nomothetic?
Creates universal laws, as humans share similar physiologies
Why is the SLT approach considered nomothetic?
Attempts to establish general laws of behaviour e.g vicarious reinforcement
Why is the Behaviourist approach considered nomothetic?
Creates universal laws, as behaviour is the result of stimulus-response associations
Why is the Psycodynamic approach considered both nomothetic and idiographic?
Attempts to establish general laws in relation to innate drives while considering unique experiences
