Key Terms of Idiographic Vs Nomothetic

Question 1

Idiographic

Answer 1

Focuses on subjective experiences to understand the behaviour of one particular person. Impossible to develop general laws due to unique subjective experiences they aim to study. Uses qualitative methods to produce rich qualitative data giving insight.

Question 2

Linking Idiographic to Approaches

Answer 2

Cognitive - case studies in understanding memory system e.g. HM and KF, Psychodynamic - Freud’s case studies providing basis, Behaviourist - case studies like Little Albert in psychopathology, Humanistic - focuses on individual circumstances and needs.

Question 3

Nomothetic

Answer 3

Focuses on large groups of people and the behaviours they show. Understand behaviour by making generalisations which universal laws and general principles can be made from. Provide a ‘benchmark’ against which behaviour can be compared and predicted. It uses quantitative methods producing quantitative data as they are more scientific so objective and generalisable.

Question 4

Linking Nomothetic to Approaches

Answer 4

Deterministic and reductionist approaches make general statements of all behaviour, Statistical analysis is applied to all, Behaviourist, cognitive, and biological make sweeping statements about everyone.