IDIOGRAPHIC and NOMOTHETIC approaches to psychological investigation

What is the debate concerned with?

Concerned with describing human behaviour on the basis of an individual or by looking at groups and developing general laws

What is an idiographic approach? AO1

Method of investigating behaviour that focuses on individuals rather than on groups

What does an idiographic approach attempt to describe? AO1

Attempts to describe the nature of the individual

In an idiographic approach, what is emphasised? AO1

This approach emphasises the unique nature of individuals, using subjective human experiences and values to do so, often in the form of a case study

What methods of investigation is the idiographic approach associated with? AO1

associated with Qualitative methods

Are findings using an idiographic approach to an investigation generalisable? AO1

often not generalisable

What is an example of the idiographic side of the debate? AO1

Sigmund Freud employed the use of an idiographic approach, he looked at case studies such as Little Hans

Used the case study as a foundation of certain key concepts such as the Oedipus Complex

What does Freuds work using an idiographic approach show? AO1

Shows that although the findings obtained using an idiographic approach cannot be generalised, they can be used as a basis for theories

What is the main aim of the nomothetic approach? AO1

Main aim of the nomothetic approach is to produce general laws of human behaviour by focusing on large groups of people

In the nomothetic approach, what do general laws of behaviour provide? AO1

Provides a ‘benchmark’ for behaviour, against which people can be compared, classified and measured

What type of data does the nomothetic approach use? AO1

-example?

Uses quantitative methods of data collection, e.g. statistical testing

What is the nomothetic approach associated with? AO1

the scientific method, such as lab experiments and controlled observations

What approach is an example of the nomothetic side of the debate? AO1

Behaviorist Approach —>

Skinner studied the response of hundreds of rats and pigeons in order to develop the general laws on learning

What is one strength of the idiographic approach? AO3

+ve: Uses Qualitative Methods of Data Collection

This is beneficial as more in-depth data provides more detailed accounts of experiences. These can then be used to support/challenge existing theories or lead to more theories being developed

An example of the is HM, whose case study demonstrated that different types of LTM are are associated with different areas of the brain. This led to further research on both memory and localisation.

Therefore a strength as can strengthen our overall understanding of complex phenomena

What is one weakness of the idiographic approach? AO3

-ve: Theories developed using an idiographic approach may Struggle to be Generalisable

This is because findings from case studies focus on one individual and so cannot be replicated for a whole population

Therefore this approach will have low ecological validity and it cannot improve the scientific credibility of psychology

What is one strength of the nomothetic approach? AO3

+ve: Based on Well Controlled, Scientific Research

This is because it uses standardised, highly controlled lab experiments or observations to obtain their findings

The use of controls allows certainty that the findings are objective, replicable and systematic and allows cause and effect to be established

Therefore increasing the scientific credibility of psychology and allows psychologists to establish typical ‘norms’ or behaviour

What is one weakness of the nomothetic approach? AO3

-ve: Accused of losing sight of the ‘whole person’

This is due to the approaches fixation on quantitative data and statistical analysis to achieve reliable results

As a result of this psychologists are unable to find out rich, in-depth information like they would in a case study

Therefore this approach can ignore or simplify complex human behaviour

What is a compromise for this debate? AO3

Rather than seeing them as alternatives it is possible that idiographic and nomothetic approach compliment each other

It has been suggested that research should start with a nomothetic approach to establish general laws. Then once established researchers can continue using more of an idiographic approach to attain more detailed findings