Idiographic vs Nomothetic

Question 1

(Idiographic v Nomothetic) Biological Approach

Answer 1

Nomothetic
Creates universal laws because humans share similar physiologies

Question 2

(Idiographic v Nomothetic) Behaviourism

Answer 2

Nomothetic
Creates universal laws as behaviour is the result of stimulus response associations

Question 3

(Idiographic v Nomothetic) Social Learning Theory

Answer 3

Nomothetic
Attempts to establish general laws of behaviour (e.g. vicarious reinforcement)

Question 4

(Idiographic v Nomothetic) Cognitive Approach

Answer 4

Idiographic + Nomothetic
Attempts to establish general laws of cognitive processing but utilises an idiographic approach with case studies

Question 5

(Idiographic v Nomothetic) Psychodynamic Approach

Answer 5

Idiographic + Nomothetic
Attempts to establish general laws around innate drives whilst considering unique experiences (in childhood)

Question 6

(Idiographic v Nomothetic) Humanistic Approach

Answer 6

Idiographic
Focuses on subjective human experience and does not attempt to create general laws