idiographic vs nomothetic approach

idiographic approach

focuses more on individual case as a means of understanding behaviour, rather than aiming to form general laws of behaviour, associated with humanistic and psychodynamic approach

characteristics of idiographic approach

qualitative research, unstructured interviews used, data analysed to identify emergent themes - conclusions help people going through similar experiences and help mental health professionals determine best practice, focuses on subjectivity, experience of unique context is important

nomothetic approach

studies human behaviour through the development of general principles and universal laws, associated with behaviourist and biological approach

characteristics of nomothetic approach

quantitative research, scientific method with hypothesis, uses structured interviews and tests, numerical data analysed for statistical significance, focuses on objectivity, allows standardisation and replication of studies

idiographic approach contributes to nomothetic approach (strength of idiographic)

idiographic approach uses in depth qualitative methods providing global description of one individual, helps to generate hypotheses for nomothetic approaches e.g. HM, but meaningful generalisations cannot always be made with idiographic approaches because less scientific methods used

both approaches have scientific credibility (strength)

nomothetic - controlled, standardised and idiographic - uses triangulation so qualitative findings from diff studies can be cross-checked, implements reflexivity to prevent any bias, both increase psych’s status as a science

lack of understanding individual with nomothetic approach (limitation)

too preoccupied with general laws, understanding subjective experience useful in devising appropriate treatment options