Issues and debates- idiographic vs nomothetic

Question 1

What is an idiographic approach

Answer 1

Attempts to explain the nature of INDIVIDUALS. It argues that people should be studied as unique entities, each with their own subjective experiences, motivations and values.

Question 2

Examples of idiographic approaches

Answer 2

case studies, thematic analysis, open questions in a survey, unstructured observations

Question 3

Example of the idiographic approach to psychological investigation

Answer 3

Patient KF - suffered damage to his STM after a motorcycle accident

Question 4

What is a nomothetic approach

Answer 4

The main aim is to produce general laws of human behaviour. These provide a benchmark against which people can be compared, classified or measured. From this, future behaviour can be predicted and even controlled.

Question 5

Examples of nomothetic approaches

Answer 5

Experiments, stat tests, meta-analysis, psychometric testing

Question 6

Example of the nomothetic approach to psychological investigation

Answer 6

Biological approach, e.g measuring levels of neurotransmitters

Question 7

Evaluation- idiographic approach has helped enrich understanding (KF)

Answer 7

One argument in favour of an idiographic approach to psychological investigations is that is allows for an in depth account of an individual’s traits and behaviour.For example, the use of qualitative methods such as case studies allow researchers to build up a more complete picture of an individual’s behaviour, that could help refine theories For example KF informed us that mem has diff stored i.e the STM and LTM are diff This means that an idiographic approach has helped improve understanding