5 - Idiographic and Nomothetic approaches to investigation

Idiographic Approach (AO1) - definition

• comes from the Greek ‘idios’ meaning ‘one’s own’

• focuses on the individual and emphasises the uniqueness of each person

• favours qualitative methods like case studies to obtain rich, in-depth information about a specific person

Nomothetic Approach (AO1) - definition

• comes from the Greek ‘nomos’ meaning ‘law’

• tries to formulate general laws of behaviour based on the study of large samples of people

• favours quantitative methods to summarise differences between people through generalisations

Idiographic Approach (AO1) - example

Nomothetic Approach (AO1) - definition

Idiographic Approach (AO3) -

Idiographic Approach (AO3) -

Nomothetic Approach (AO3) -

Nomothetic Approach (AO3) -