nomithetic and idiographic approaches Flashcards
the debate
Should psychological research focus on the creation of universal laws that apply to the majority of people, or should psychology focus on the uniqueness of individuals
idiographic approach
Psychologists who take an
Idiographic approach to research focus on the individual
• Emphasis is on the unique, personal and subjective experience of human nature, motivation and values.
• No formulation of laws or generalisation of results to others.
nomothetic approach
Psychologists who take a nomothetic approach are concerned with establishing general laws.
• Study of large groups of people
• Use of statistical (quantitative) techniques to analyse data.
It aims to provide ‘norms’ against which people can be compared, classified and measured.
idiographic methods
An idiographic approach generally favours qualitative research methods
• Case studies
• Unstructured interviews
• Thematic analysis
Allows an in-depth insight into individual behaviour
nomothetic methods
Psychologists taking a nomothetic approach generally prefer to use methods that produce quantitative data e•g•
• Experiments
• Correlations
• Psychometric testing
Generally used in areas of psychology that are more scientifically oriented.
idiographic approach-humanism
Carl Rogers tried to explain the process of self-development including the role of unconditional positive regard in individuals.
This was derived from in-depth conversations with clients in therapy.
idiographic approach-psychodynamic approach
Freud conducted very detailed investigations into the lives of his patients in an attempt to understand and help them overcome their psychological disorders.
idiographic approach-depression
Idiographic research on depression would be based a variety of methods.
• First-hand accounts from a small number of people
• In depth interviews focussing on a particular area related to depression.
• Such data is then analysed and emergent themes are identified.
Conclusions may help other people going through similar experiences.
nomothetic examples
The behaviourist and biological approaches are nomothetic.
Skinner and the behaviourists studied hundreds of rats, cats, pigeons → laws of learning.
Biological psychologists have conducted brain scans on countless humans → LoC of function.
nomothetic approach-biological psychology
Biological Psychologists take a nomothetic approach when explaining various psychological disorders, such as OCD and depression.
Biological factors neurotransmitters are identified through research with large quantities of people, and biological therapies are produced to treat large groups of patients.
it isn’t that simple
Some approaches do not only utilise one approach.
• The cognitive approach tries to establish general laws e.g. the Multistore Model.
• It also uses idiographic techniques such as case studies.
It is important to appreciate that whilst approaches generally be in favour of idiographic or nomothetic methods, some use both.
strength-focus on individual
Although it is argued that the idiographic method is inherently less scientific, this is not necessarily a bad thing
Allport argued that it is only by knowing the person as a person that we can predict what that person will do in any situation.
→ Knowing 1% of people suffer from Schizophrenia tells you nothing about what it’s like to have schizophrenia
Strength-application to treatments
The nomothetic approach is considered more scientific, we can replicate studies, as well as predict and control behaviour
→ proactive and useful in the development of drug therapies
A nomothetic approach led to the identification of neurotransmitters which are linked to the symptoms of disorders such as OCD, and produce medication which has benefited the lives of sufferers
HOWEVER…drug treatments are not successful for all patients. Some idiographic treatments such as CBT may be better.
limitation-complementary not contradictory
Viewing the approaches as complementary rather than mutually exclusive may be more helpful when attempting to gain and provide detailed and rich accounts of human behaviour.
E.g. Idiographic approaches can inform nomothetic laws → leads to more comprehensive theories and greater understanding.
MSM + Patient KF → WMM
