Idiographic vs Nomothetic (Essay plan)

Question 1

Essay question

Answer 1

Discuss idiographic and nomothetic approaches to psychological investigation (16 marks).

Question 2

A01 point (Nomothetic)

Answer 2

• Outline the nomothetic approach.
• Example of the nomothetic approach (Biological approach).

Question 3

A03 point (Scientific nature)

Answer 3

Nomothetic:
- Use of qualitative methods, controlled, replication etc.
- Replicability.
- Reliability.

Question 4

A03 point (Application treatments)

Answer 4

Nomothetic:
- Biological psychologists, OCD, development of drug treatments for all patients (SSRI’s).

Question 5

A01 point (Idiographic)

Answer 5

• Outline the idiographic approach.
• Example of the idiographic approach (KF)

Question 6

A03 point (Unscientific nature)

Answer 6

• Use of qualitative methods, uncontrolled, unable to replicate etc.

Question 7

A03 point (Power of case studies)

Answer 7

• Patient KF.
• Generate further research.
• Powerful tool for evaluating psychological theories.
• KF= exposed a limitation of MSM.
• Case study can generate further research into a particular phenomenon (develop new theories).