the idiographic-nomothetic debate

what is the idiographic approach about?

• suggests that psychology should be the study of individuals because, by obtaining detailed information about that individual (or group), we can understand human behaviour better.

• uses case studies

idiographic approach → research

• q_____ research - Most idiographic research is q_____. The research would be based on f_____-h___ a____ from a s____ number of people (c____ study).

• Participants would be i____ in depth and the focus may be on a p____ area of human behaviour, using an u_____ interview

• This data is then a____ and e____ themes are i____.

• Conclusions may help how?

idiographic approach→research

• qualitative research - Most idiographic research is qualitative. The research would be based on first-hand accounts from a small number of people (case study).

• Participants would be interviewed in depth and the focus may be on a particular area of human behaviour, using an unstructured interview

• This data is then analysed and emergent themes are identified.

• Conclusions may help other people going through similar experiences, or more widely, may help mental health professionals determine best practice.

idiographic approach → Examples in psychology

The idiographic approach is most associated with the humanistic and psychodynamic approaches :

humanistic approach:

• For example C___ R____ sought to explain the process of s____-d____ including the role of u____ p____ r____.

• This was derived from i___-d____ conversations with clients in t___.

psychodynamic approaches :

• F____ careful o____ of i___ were the basis of his explanations of h____ n___, for example the case of L___ H____ was used to explain how a po___ might develop.

idiographic approach → Examples in psychology

The idiographic approach is most associated with the humanistic and psychodynamic approaches :

humanistic approach:

• For example Carl Rogers sought to explain the process of self-development including the role of unconditional positive regard.

• This was derived from in-depth conversations with clients in therapy.

psychodynamic approaches :

• Freud's careful observations of individuals were the basis of his explanations of human nature, for example the case of Little Hans was used to explain how a phobia might develop.

idiographic approach → Subjective or objective

• is the idiographic approach subjective or objective and why?

idiographic approach → Subjective or objective

• idiographic approach can be described as subjective

• within the idiographic approach tend not to believe that objectivity in psychological research is possible.

• It is people's individual experience of their unique context that is important, rather than some underlying reality out there that is waiting to be discovered.

✓Strengths of the idiographic approach

✓- One strength of the idiographic approach is that it c__ to the n____ a____.

• The idiographic approach uses i___-d____ q___ methods of i____ and this provides a g___ d____ of one individual.

• This may complement the nomothetic approach as psychologists can apply individual case studies how?

• For example, the c___ of H____ provided significant insight into the w___ of m___, leading to b___ t___ about m____ p____.

This suggests that even though the focus is on f____ i___, the idiographic approach may still help what?

✓Strengths of the idiographic approach

✓- One strength of the idiographic approach is that it contributes to the nomothetic approach.

• The idiographic approach uses in-depth qualitative methods of investigation and this provides a global description of one individual.

• This may complement the nomothetic approach as psychologists can apply individual case studies to existing nomothetic theories to assess whether they align; if they do not, these cases can be used to challenge and refine general laws of behaviour.

• For example, the case of HM provided significant insight into the workings of memory, leading to broader theories about memory processes.

This suggests that even though the focus is on fewer individuals, the idiographic approach may still help form 'scientific laws of behaviour.

✓Strengths of the idiographic approach

✓- One strength of the idiographic approach is that it can be considered scientific

• Although it primarily uses q____ methods, researchers still attempt to objectify their findings through techniques such as p____ r___ or triangulation, - what is triangulation?

• In addition, qualitative researchers often engage in reflexivity, - what is this?

• This helps ensure that conclusions are not based on a s____ s____ p____

Therefore, despite criticisms that the idiographic approach lacks scientific rigour, these methodological practices suggest it can still produce v___ and r___ knowledge.

✓Strengths of the idiographic approach

✓- One strength of the idiographic approach is that it can be considered scientific

• Although it primarily uses qualitative methods, researchers still attempt to objectify their findings through techniques such as peer review or triangulation, where data from multiple sources or methods are compared to increase validity

• In addition, qualitative researchers often engage in reflexivity, critically reflecting on their own biases and preconceptions throughout the research process.

• This helps ensure that conclusions are not based on a single subjective perspective

Therefore, despite criticisms that the idiographic approach lacks scientific rigour, these methodological practices suggest it can still produce valid and reliable knowledge.

✘limitations of the idiographic approach

✘- One limitation of the idiographic approach is that it is often too n___ to allow m____ generalisations

• . Because it focuses on d____ s____ of individuals, it is difficult to establish a baseline for c__, meaning findings cannot easily be applied to w_____ p____

• In addition, case studies which are commonly used in the idiographic approach are often seen as less scientific - why?

• This increases the risk of b___ and reduces the r___ of conclusions.

• For example, many of F___ key ideas, such as the o____ c___, were developed from the single case study of L___ H___,

Therefore, the idiographic approach lack of g____ and s___ to s_____ b____ limits its ability to do what?

✘limitations of the idiographic approach

✘- One limitation of the idiographic approach is that it is often too narrow to allow meaningful generalisations

• . Because it focuses on detailed studies of individuals, it is difficult to establish a baseline for comparison, meaning findings cannot easily be applied to wider populations

• In addition, case studies which are commonly used in the idiographic approach are often seen as less scientific because they rely heavily on the researcher’s subjective interpretation.

• This increases the risk of bias and reduces the reliability of conclusions.

• For example, many of Freud’s key ideas, such as the Oedipus complex, were developed from the single case study of Little Hans,

Therefore, the idiographic approach lack of generalisability and susceptibility to subjective bias limits its ability to form broad, reliable theories of human behaviour.

what is the nomothetic approach about?

• suggests psychology should be the study of large and varied groups to make generalisations to then create “laws”

• they advocate for general principles of behaviour (theories) which could then be applied in individual situations

nomothetic approach →research

• The main aim of the nomothetic approach is generalisation in order to create 'laws' i.e. create general principles of behaviour (theories) which then, for example, could be applied in individual situations such as drug therapy.

• Quantitative research - Nomothetic research most closely fits traditional models of the 'scientific method' in psychology.

• Hypotheses are formulated, samples of people (or sometimes animals) are assessed via a structured questionnaire or using psychological test and the numerical data produced is analysed for its statistical significance.

• Nomothetic approaches seek to quantify (count) human behaviour.

nomothetic approach →research

• The main aim of the nomothetic approach is generalisation in order to create 'laws' i.e. create general principles of behaviour (theories) which then, for example, could be applied in individual situations such as drug therapy.

• Quantitative research - nomothetic research most closely fits t____ models of the 's____ m____' in psychology.

• H____ are f____, samples of p____ (or sometimes a____) are a____ via a s____ q____ or using p____ t____ and the n____ d____ produced is analysed for its s___ significance.

• Nomothetic approaches seek to do what?

nomothetic approach →examples in psychology

• The behaviourist and biological approaches are nomothetic even though they sometimes use quite small samples.

behavioural approach

• behavioural psychologists like S__ studied a____ to develop what?

biological approach

• e.g S___ s___-b___ research which involved r___ t____ and was, in part, the basis for understanding h____ l___

nomothetic approach →examples in psychology

• The behaviourist and biological approaches are nomothetic even though they sometimes use quite small samples.

behavioural approach

• behavioural psychologists like Skinner studied animals to develop the general laws of learning

biological approach

• e.g Sperry's split-brain research which involved repeated testing and was, in part, the basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation

nomothetic approach →Subjective or objective

• the nomothetic approach can be described as o____

• Laws of behaviour are only possible how?

• This ensures true r____ occurs across s____ of behaviour and removes the c____ i___ of b___.

nomothetic approach →Subjective or objective

• the nomothetic approach can be described as objective

• Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way.

• This ensures true replication occurs across samples of behaviour and removes the contaminating influence of bias.

✓Strengths of the nomothetic approach

✓-One strength of the nomothetic approach is that it is highly s____ in its methods and closely mirrors the procedures used in the n___ s____.

• The processes involved in nomothetic research include testing under s____ c____, using l____ d___ s____ to calculate a____, and identifying p____ that allow p____ and c____ of behaviour, such as in IQ testing.

• This use of objective and quantifiable methods increases the r___ and r___ of findings.

Therefore, the nomothetic approach is particularly effective for e____ g____ l___ of b___.

✓Strengths of the nomothetic approach

✓-One strength of the nomothetic approach is that it is highly scientific in its methods and closely mirrors the procedures used in the natural sciences.

• The processes involved in nomothetic research include testing under standardised conditions, using large data sets to calculate averages, and identifying patterns that allow prediction and control of behaviour, such as in IQ testing.

• This use of objective and quantifiable methods increases the reliability and replicability of findings.

Therefore, the nomothetic approach is particularly effective for establishing general laws of behaviour.

✘limitations of the idiographic approach

✘- One limitation of the nomothetic approach is loss of u_____ of the i______.

• The fact that the nomothetic approach is preoccupied with what? means it has been accused of '”l____ the w______ p____/i____ ' within psychology.

• For example, knowing that there is a 1% lifetime risk of developing s____ tells us very little about what?

• Understanding the subjective experience of s____ might well prove useful when?

This means, in its search for generalities, the nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to 'e_____.

✘limitations of the idiographic approach

✘- One limitation of the nomothetic approach is loss of understanding of the individual.

• The fact that the nomothetic approach is preoccupied with general laws, prediction and control means it has been accused of 'losing the whole person/individual ' within psychology.

• For example, knowing that there is a 1% lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia tells us very little about what it is actually like to live with the condition on a daily basis, such as experiencing hallucinations, delusions, or disorganised thinking

• Understanding the subjective experience of schizophrenia might well prove useful when it comes to devising appropriate treatment options, for example.

This means, in its search for generalities, the nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to 'experience.