Idiographic and nomothetic approaches

What is the idiographic-nomothetic debate?

It is centred on whether psychology should study individuals (idiographic) or large groups to make generalisations about behaviour (nomothetic).

What does the idiographic approach focus on?

It focuses on studying individuals in depth to gain detailed understanding of human behaviour.

What is the main research method used in idiographic research?

Qualitative research, such as in-depth interviews and case studies.

What are examples of idiographic approaches in psychology?

• Carl Rogers’ exploration of self-development using in-depth therapy sessions.

• Freud’s psychodynamic case studies, like Little Hans, to explain phobia development.

What is the focus of the nomothetic approach?

It aims to create general laws or principles of behaviour by studying large groups and making generalisations.

What research methods are common in the nomothetic approach?

Quantitative methods, including structured questionnaires and statistical analysis.

What are examples of nomothetic approaches in psychology?

• Skinner’s use of animals to develop general laws of learning in behaviourism.

• Sperry’s split-brain research to understand hemispheric lateralisation in biological psychology.

What is a key difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches?

• Idiographic approaches focus on subjective experiences and individual uniqueness.

• Nomothetic approaches emphasise objectivity, standardisation, and replication.

Why is objectivity important in the nomothetic approach?

It ensures standardised methods, true replication, and removal of bias to create reliable laws of behaviour.

Why do idiographic researchers question objectivity?

They argue that individual experiences and unique contexts are more important than universal laws.

What is the AO3 (strengths) of the idiographic approach?

Complete Account

• Point: A strength of the idiographic approach is its contribution to the nomothetic approach.

• Evidence: The idiographic approach uses detailed qualitative methods, which can challenge or enhance general laws, e.g., HM’s case inspired hypotheses about memory.

• Explain: These in-depth studies provide insights that improve overall understanding.

• Elaborate: By focusing on fewer individuals, idiographic research complements broader nomothetic findings.

• Link: This highlights how the idiographic approach can inform scientific laws of behaviour.

What is the AO3 (limitations) of the Idiographic approach?

Counterpoint to it giving a complete account: Limited Generalisability

• Point: However, the idiographic approach has limitations in generalisability.

• Evidence: Without broader comparisons, meaningful generalisations cannot be made, and case studies rely on subjective interpretation.

• Explain: This restricts the idiographic approach’s ability to develop universal theories.

• Elaborate: Its lack of objectivity can also introduce researcher bias.

• Link: Therefore, idiographic research may need support from nomothetic methods for broader applicability.

What is the AO3 (strengths) of the both approaches?

Scientific Credibility

• Point: Both approaches contribute to psychology’s scientific credibility.

• Evidence: Nomothetic methods use standardisation and statistical testing, while idiographic methods use triangulation and reflexivity to enhance validity.

• Explain: Both approaches share the goal of objectivity in research.

• Elaborate: These practices improve the scientific rigour of psychological research.

• Link: This demonstrates how both approaches elevate psychology as a science.

What is the AO3 (limitation) of the nomothetic approaches?

Losing the Person

• Point: A limitation of the nomothetic approach is that it overlooks the individual.

• Evidence: General laws, e.g., a 1% schizophrenia risk, fail to capture the lived experience of individuals with the disorder.

• Explain: This lack of personal insight can hinder treatment development.

• Elaborate: Understanding subjective experiences may lead to more effective interventions.

• Link: Thus, the nomothetic approach risks losing relevance to individual experiences.