Issues and debates- Topic 6

Idiographic and nomothetic approaches

What is the idiographic-nomothetic debate?

The idiographic-nomothetic debate considers whether psychology should prioritise the detailed study of individuals or the discovery of general laws of behaviour.

What is the idiographic approach give examples.

The idiographic approach studies a small number of participants, often in depth, using qualitative methods such as interviews to understand individual experiences, which can sometimes inform general conclusions or best practice. For example, Rogers’ theory of unconditional positive regard was based on in-depth studies of his clients, while Freud’s phobia explanation relied on the detailed case study of Little Hans.

What is the nomothetic approach give examples.

The nomothetic approach develops general laws of behaviour, using quantitative research and statistical analysis to quantify human behaviour, which can then be applied to individuals. For example, Skinner studied animals to establish general laws of learning, while Sperry’s repeated testing of split-brain patients helped explain hemispheric lateralisation.

Objective vs subjective

The nomothetic approach uses standardised methods to allow replication and reduce bias, whereas the idiographic approach focuses on individuals’ unique experiences, valuing personal context over objectivity.

STRENGTH- OF BOTH

P- One strength is idiographic and nomothetic approaches work together.

E- The idiographic approach uses in-depth qualitative methods which complements the nomothetic approach by providing detail. For example, in-depth studies such as HM may reveal insights about normal functioning which contribute to our overall understanding.

E- This suggest that even though the focus is on fewer individuals, the idiographic approach may help form ‘scientific’ laws of behaviour.

L- Therefore, , combining idiographic and nomothetic approaches allows psychology to gain both detailed understanding of individuals and generalisable scientific principles.

Counterpoint of strength (1)

P- However, one limitation of the idiographic approach is that it is restricted when used on its own.

E- For example, it makes use of interviews and case studies which produce qualitative data, this often lacks a baseline for comparison and is considered unscientific and subjective.

E- This suggests that it is difficult to build effective general theories of human behaviour in the complete absence of nomothetic research.

L- Therefore, this reduces the validity and reliability of the idiographic approach as it cannot be used on its own.

STRENGTH(1) OF BOTH

P- One strength is both approaches fit with the aims of science.

E- For example, nomothetic research seeks objectivity through standardisation, control and statistical testing. Idiographic research also seeks objectivity through triangulation( comparing a range of studies), and reflexivity(researchers examine own biases).

E- This suggest that both the nomothetic and idiographic approaches raise psychology’s status as a science.

L- Therefore, by enhancing credibility, both approaches gain greater acceptance and influence in psychology, making their findings more reliable and widely applied.

LIMITATION OF NOMOTHETIC APPROACH

P- One limitation of the nomothetic approach is the individual experience is lost.

E- Nomothetic approach focuses on general laws and may ‘lose the whole person’ within psychology. For example,  knowing about a 1% lifetime risk of schizophrenia says little about having the disorder which might be useful for therapeutic ideas.

E- This means that, in its search for generalities, the nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to ‘experience’.

L- Therefore, this may reduce the nomothetic approaches overall practical value, showing it may be more appropriate to use idiographic approaches to trat disorders.