idiographic and nomothetic

idiographic definition

• researches that focus on a particular individual or a small group - unusual cases

• qualitative: in depth interview and data.

nomothetic explanation

• studying human behaviour by establishing general principles. Large samples - objective

• quantitative: correlations, numerical dara

limitation - lack scientific rigour

• idiographic methods are subjective

• case studies, unstructured interviews: personal judgment.

• researcher bias and reduces objectivity, lack scientific reliability

• therefore nomothetic approach considered more scientific: generalisable.

strength - scientific credibility

• nomothetic is scientific

• standardised procedures, controlled conditions and large group sample.

• allows replication and development of general laws, increases credibility.

• offers objectivity and generalisable findings.

strength - detailed insight

• idiographic studies provide rich qualitative data, focuses on overlooked behaviours.

• e.g HM/KF found details about memory stores that would not have been identified.

• allowed psychologists to refine theories and develop them

• therefore valuable for allowing psychological theories to develop