Nomothetic vs Idiographic

Question 1

N vs I
Biological

Answer 1

Nomothetic
- suggests that humans share similar physiology and that we can make universal laws regarding behaviour. Lab experiments are used to generate quantitative data to make generalisations

Question 2

N vs I
Behaviourism

Answer 2

Nomothetic
- creates general laws of behaviour (cause and effect, stimulus-response relationships) and uses lab experiments to generate quantitative data to make generalisations

Question 3

N vs I
SLT

Answer 3

Nomothetic
- SLT aims to establish general laws of behaviour. Uses lab experiments to generate quantitative data to make generalisations

Question 4

N vs I
Cognitive

Answer 4

Nomothetic
- typically uses nomothetic approaches to establish general laws of cognitive processing. However, case studies are something used utilising idiographic approaches

Question 5

N vs I
Psychodynamic

Answer 5

Both
- uses nomothetic approaches to create general laws about innate drives, however, it also takes into account the unique experience of early childhood experiences

Question 6

N vs I
Humanistic

Answer 6

Idiographic
- The only approach to focus on subjective human experience and makes no attempt to generalise

Question 7

AO3 IvsN
The Idiographic Approach

Answer 7

(+) Provides a complete and global account of the individual
Challenges nomothetic laws
A single case may generate hypothesis for further study
I.e HM

(-) Narrow and restricted nature of their work
Least scientific as they often rely on subjective interpretations of the researcher

Question 8

AO3 IvsN
Nomothetic approach

Answer 8

(+) Scientific, using standardised conditions
Able to establish norms of typical behaviour
Greater scientific credibility

(-) Accused of losing the whole person
Treated as a series of scores rather than an individual and their subjective experience is ignored