Idiographic vs Nomothetic

Question 1

Outline the idiographic-nomothetic debate

Answer 1

Idiographic - Psych should be study of individuals bc, by obtaining lots of detailed info about individual, we can understand HB better
Nomothetic - Psych should be study of large & varied groups to make generalisations about what’s typical in different aspects of HB, i.e. established norms
Has implications for type of research we use, whether we study individuals in depth, or study larger groups & discuss averages

Question 2

Outline the idiographic approach to psych investigation

Answer 2

Qualitative research - Number of parties small & generalisations not made
E.g. Research on depression based on first-hand accounts from small number of people, interviewed in-depth & focus may be on particular facet of HB, like how parties coped with their xp. Data then analysed & emergent themes identified, with conclusions helping others get through similar XPs

Most associated with humanistic & psychodynamic approaches, e.g. little Hans study

Question 3

Outline the nomothetic approach to psych investigation

Answer 3

Nomothetic approach = Generalise to create ‘laws’ (general principles of behaviour)

Quantitive - Hypotheses formulated, samples of people assessed in some way & numerical data produced analysed for statistical significance. Seeks to quantify HB

Behaviourist & biological approaches associated with nomothetic (Skinner & Sperry)

Question 4

Outline objective vs subjective

Answer 4

Objective - Laws of behaviour only possible if methods of assessment delivered in standardised & objective way. Ensures true replication occurs across samples of behaviour & removes bias

Subjective - Believe objectivity in psych research is impossible - it’s people’s individual xp of unique context that’s important, rather than some underlying reality waiting to be discovered

Question 5

Evaluate the idiographic vs nomothetic approach

Answer 5

Strength - Idiographic - COMPLETE ACCOUNT
E.g. - Idiogrpahic approach uses in-depth qualitative methods, providing global description of 1 individual. May complement nomothetic approach by shedding further light/challenging on general laws. Single case may generate hypothesis for further study, e.g. HM with STM & LTM
Ex. - Even though focus is on fewer individuals, idiographic approach may still help form ‘scientific’ laws of behaviour

Strength - Both - SCIENTIFIC CREDIBILITY
E.g. - Processes involved in nomothetic research similar to those used in natural sciences, e.g. establishing objectivity through standardisation, control & statistical testing. But idiographic researchers also have objective methods, like Triangulation - findings from range of studies using different qualitative methods composed as way of increasing validity, as well as being careful to reflect upon own bias & preconceptions
Ex. - Both nomothetic & idiographic approaches raise psychology’s status as science

Limitation - Nomothetic - LOSING PERSON
E.g. Fact nomothetic approach preoccupied with general laws, prediction & control means it’s been accused of ‘losing whole person’ within psych. E.g. knowing there’s 1% lifetime risk developing schiz tells us little about what life is like for someone with condition. Understanding subjective xp of schiz might well prove useful when it comes to devising appropriate treatment options.
Ex. - In search for generalities, nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to xp.