Idiographic And Nomothetic Approaches

What is the idiographic-nomothetic debate centred on?

Two opposing approaches: idiographic and nomothetic.

What is the idiographic approach?

One that focuses more on the individual case as a means of understanding behaviour.

What is the nomothetic approach?

One that aims to study large groups with the aims of developing general principles and universal laws.

What is the number of participants in idiographic research?

It is small, often a single case (single individual or group or institution).

What is the focus of idiographic research>

Understanding the individual.

What type of research is used in the idiographic approach?

Qualitative; for instance, research on depression would be based on first-hand accounts from a small number of people (case study). Participants would be interviewed in depth and the focus may be on a particular facet of human behaviour, such as how the participants coped with their experience (using a fairly unstructured interview). Such data is then analysed and emergent themes are identified. Conclusions may help other people going through similar experiences, or more widely, may help mental health professionals determine best practice.

What are examples of the idiographic approach in psychology?

• Humanistic approach.

• Psychodynamic approach.

What did Rogers seek to explain?

The process of self-development including the role of unconditional positive regard.

What was the basis of Freud’s explanations of human nature?

In-depth conversations with clients in therapy, for example the case of little Hans was used to explain how a phobia might develop.

What is the main aim of the nomothetic approach?

Generalisation in order to create ‘laws‘, ie. create general principles of behaviour (theories) which then, for example, could be applied in individual situations like drug therapy.

What does nomothetic research fit most closely with?

Nomothetic research most closely fits traditional models of the 'scientific method' in psychology. Hypotheses are formulated, samples of people (or sometimes animals) are assessed in some way (perhaps via a structured questionnaire or using psychological tests) and the numerical data produced is analysed for its statistical significance. Nomothetic approaches seek to quantify (count) human behaviour.

What are examples of the nomothetic approach in biology?

• Behaviourist approach.

• Biological approach.

What did Skinner study animals to develop?

General laws of learning. He looked at one aspect of behaviour in a few animals but the aim was to establish general laws.

What did Sperry’s split-brain research involve?

Repeated testing and was, in part, the basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation.

What is a key difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches?

How each relates to subjectivity and objectivity.

Which method is objective?

Nomothetic: laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way. This allows for replication and eliminates bias.

Which approach is subjective?

Idiographic, with researchers not believing that objectivity in psychological research is possible. It is people’s individual experience of their unique context that is important.

What is the strength of the idiographic approach?

• Complete account.

How is the idiographic helping to form a complete account a strength?

It contributes to the nomothetic approach: the idiographic approach uses in-depth qualitative methods of investigation and this provides a global description of one individual. This may complement the nomothetic approach by shedding further light on general laws or indeed by challenging such laws. For example, a single case may generate hypotheses for further study (see the case of HM, right) - the pebble that starts an avalanche. Cases like HM may reveal important insights about normal functioning which may contribute to our overall understanding.

What does the complete account suggest?

This suggests that even though the focus is on fewer individuals, the idiographic approach may still help form 'scientific laws of behaviour.

What is the counterpoint for the idiographic approach contributing to form a complete account?

Supporters of the idiographic approach should still acknowledge the narrow and restricted nature of their work. Meaningful generalisations cannot be made without further examples, as this means there is no adequate baseline with which to compare behaviour. In addition, methods associated with the idiographic approach, such as case studies, tend to be the least scientific in that conclusions often rely on the subjective interpretation of the researcher and, as such, are open to bias.

What does the counterpoint to the complete account suggest?

That it is difficult to build effective general theories of human behaviour in the complete absence of nomothetic research.

What is the strength of both approaches?

• Scientific credibility.

How is scientific credibility a strength of both approaches?

They fit with the aims of science: the processes involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in the natural sciences, for example establishing objectivity through standardisation, control and statistical testing. However, researchers using the idiographic approach also seek to objectify their methods. For example, triangulation is used whereby findings from a range of studies using different qualitative methods are compared as a way of increasing their validity. Also, modern qualitative researchers are careful to reflect upon their own biases and preconceptions as part of the research process.

This suggests that both the nomothetic and idiographic approaches raise

psychology's status as a science.

What does the scientific credibility suggest?

This suggests that both the nomothetic and idiographic approaches raise psychology's status as a science.

What is the limitation of the nomothetic approach?

• Losing the person.

How is losing the person a limitation of the nomothetic approach?

Loss of understanding of the individual; the fact that the nomothetic approach is preoccupied with general laws, prediction and control means it has been accused of losing the whole person" within psychology. For example, knowing that there is a 1% lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia tells us little about what life is like for someone who has been diagnosed with the disorder. Understanding the subjective experience of schizophrenia might well prove useful when it comes to devising appropriate treatment options, for example.

What does losing the person mean?

That in its search for generalities, the nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to ‘experience’.