Issues and debates - idiographic and nomothetic Flashcards
what is the idiographic approach?
psychology should be rented around the individual.
Detailed information about a individual allows us to understand human behaviour better
what is the nomothetic approach?
psychology should be the study of large groups.
This allows us to make generalisations and establish general laws of human behaviour
what is the idiographic approach to psychological investigation?
qualitative research - case studies, unstructured interviews with open questions.
Data is analysed and themes are identified
examples of the idiographic approach in psychology
most associated with humanistic and psychodynamic approaches.
Rogers’ idea of unconditional positive regard was derived from in-depth conversations with clients in therapy
Freud’s observations of individuals were the basis of his explanations - e.g the case of Little Hans
what is the nomothetic approach to psychological investigation?
quantitative research - uses large samples for generalisation, involves analysis of numerical data through statistical testing.
Fits closely with traditional models of the ‘scientific method’.
examples of nomothetic research in psychology
behaviourist and biological approaches.
Skinner studies animals to develop general laws of learning.
Sperry’s split-brain research used a small sample but provided a basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation.
why is the nomothetic approach more objective?
general laws can only be developed from standardised, objective methods of investigation.
Ensures replication is possible, and removes contaminating influence of bias.
why is the idiographic approach more subjective?
idiographic researchers tend to believe objectivity is not possible.
Analysis of data can be subjective and open to bias
strength - idiographic can contribute to nomothetic
in-depth qualitative methods (case study) can compliment nomothetic approach by providing important insights about normal functioning which can generate further hypotheses and may contribute to our overall understanding
e.g the case of HM led to further understanding of the function of memory and its organisation in the brain.
strength - both approaches fit with the aims of science
nomothetic research is similar to natural sciences - establishes objectivity through standardisation, uses statistical testing.
Idiographic researchers seek to objectify their methods by using triangulation, and are careful to reflect upon their own biases
limitation of idiographic - narrow and restricted
methods associated with the idiographic approach tend to be less scientific and rely on subjective interpretation - open to bias
generalisations can’t be made from case studies alone
limitation of nomothetic - loss of the individual
has been accused of ‘losing the whole person’
e.g knowing that on a general level there’s a 1% lifetime risk of developing Schizophrenia doesn’t tell us the personal experience of someone diagnosed with the disorder.
Understanding the subjective experience of Schizophrenia may be more beneficial when devising appropriate treatment
