Issues and debates - Idiographic and Nomothetic Approaches Flashcards
Define the idiographic approach.
Derived from the Greek ‘idios’ meaning ‘private’ or ‘personal’, the idiographic approach focuses more on the individual case as a means of understanding behaviour, rather than aiming to formulate general laws of behaviour (the nomothetic approach).
Define the nomothetic approach.
Derived from the Greek ‘nomos’ meaning ‘law’, the nomothetic approach attempts to study human behaviour through the development of general principles and universal laws.
What is the main aim of the idiographic approach?
To describe the nature of the individual. People are studied as unique entities, each with their own subjective experiences, motivations, and values. There is no attempt to compare these to a larger group, standard, or norm.
What methods are typically associated with the idiographic approach?
Most associated with methods that produce qualitative data, such as case studies, unstructured interviews, and self-report measures, with the aim of describing the richness of human experience.
What is the main aim of the nomothetic approach?
To produce general laws of human behaviour that provide a benchmark against which people can be compared, classified, and measured.
What methods are typically associated with the nomothetic approach?
Closely aligned with methods regarded as scientific within psychology, such as experiments, involving large numbers of people to establish ways in which people are similar or different.
Give an example of the idiographic approach in psychology.
Humanistic psychology is an example. Both Rogers and Maslow were interested in documenting the conscious experience of the individual or ‘self’ rather than producing general laws of behaviour.
Provide an example of the nomothetic approach in psychology.
The biological approach seeks to portray basic principles of how the body and brain work. For instance, research on the general law of localisation of function.
What is one evaluation point for the idiographic approach?
Point: The idiographic approach provides rich and detailed accounts of individual cases.
Evidence: For example, a single case study, such as HM, can generate hypotheses for further study and offer unique insights about brain function.
Explain: This approach allows psychologists to explore phenomena that are not well understood, contributing to the overall understanding of human behaviour.
Link: This demonstrates the idiographic approach’s value in providing insights that may complement the nomothetic approach.
What is an evaluation point against the idiographic approach?
Point: However, meaningful generalisations cannot always be made from idiographic research.
Evidence: For instance, Freud’s theory of the Oedipus complex was developed from a single case study (Little Hans), limiting its reliability.
Explain: The idiographic approach may lack scientific rigour due to subjectivity and inability to compare findings.
Link: This reduces its usefulness for establishing universal laws, unlike the nomothetic approach.
What is one evaluation point for the nomothetic approach?
Point: The nomothetic approach is highly scientific and reliable.
Evidence: Processes such as standardised testing (e.g., IQ tests) provide objective data for prediction and control.
Explain: This allows psychologists to establish laws and norms of behaviour with credibility and generalisation.
Link: The nomothetic approach is therefore fundamental for creating universal psychological theories.
What is an evaluation point against the nomothetic approach?
Point: The nomothetic approach may overlook the richness of human experience.
Evidence: For example, knowing there is a 1% lifetime risk of schizophrenia provides little insight into what it feels like to live with the disorder.
Explain: This approach may lose the individual perspective in favour of general laws, limiting its applicability.
Link: Thus, while it is efficient, the nomothetic approach might need to integrate idiographic insights for a fuller understanding.
