Idiographic and nomothetic approaches

Question 1

The idiographic-nomothetic debate is centred on two ________ approaches

Answer 1

opposing

Question 2

The nomothetic approach suggests that psychology should be the study of…

Answer 2

large and varied groups

Question 3

The nomothetic approach suggests that psychology should be the study of large and varied groups to make…

Answer 3

generalisations about what is typical in different aspects of human behaviour

Question 4

Which side of the idiographic-nomothetic debate is about establishing norms?

Answer 4

Nomothetic

Question 5

The idiographic approach suggests that psychology should be the study of what?

Answer 5

Individuals

Question 6

By obtaining lots of detailed information about an individual, which side of the idiographic-nomothetic debate says we can understand human behaviour better?

Answer 6

Idiographic

Question 7

True/False: The idiographic approach is only concerned with studying individuals

Answer 7

False, it can be groups as well

Question 8

True/False: The idiographic-nomothetic debate has implications for the types of research method psychologists use

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Give an example of how the idiographic-nomothetic debate has implications for the types of research method psychologists use

Answer 9

Whether we study individuals in depth or study larger groups and discuss averages

Question 10

True/False: There is a sense in which the idiographic and nomothetic approaches overlap

Answer 10

True

Question 11

There is a sense in which the idiographic and nomothetic approaches overlap and both may have their place within a…

Answer 11

scientific study of the person

Question 12

In idiographic research, the number of participants is large/small

Answer 12

small

Question 13

In idiographic research, the number of participants is often single case. What does this mean?

Answer 13

A single individual, group or institution

Question 14

True/False: Some idiographic research might include information from family, friends, or others

Answer 14

True. Focus is on detail

Question 15

True/False: Generalisations are never made with idiographic research

Answer 15

False, although the initial focus is about understanding the individual

Question 16

Most idiographic research is qualitative/quantitative

Answer 16

qualitative

Question 17

Why would research on depression have been idiographic?

Answer 17

It would’ve been based on first-hand accounts from a small number of people and participants would’ve been interviewed in depth

Question 18

True/False: In idiographic research, focus may be on a particular facet of human behaviour

Answer 18

True

Question 19

In idiographic research into depression, focus may be on how participants cope with an experience using a fairly unstructured interview. What would then happen to this data?

Answer 19

It would be analysed to identify emergent themes.

Question 20

Why is identifying emergent themes an important part of idiographic research?

Answer 20

Conclusions may help other people going through similar experiences or more widely, may help professionals determine best practice in the example of research into coping with depression

Question 21

The idiographic approach is most associated with which approaches in psychology?

Answer 21

Humanist and psychodynamic approaches

Question 22

Why is the idiographic approach associated with humanism?

Answer 22

Carl Rogers sought to explain the process of self-development including the role of unconditional positive regard. This was derived from in-depth conversations with clients in therapy

Question 23

Carl Rogers sought to explain the process of self-development including the role of unconditional regard. Where was this derived from?

Answer 23

In-depth conversations with clients in therapy

Question 24

Why is the idiographic approach associated with the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 24

Freud’s careful observations of individuals were the basis of his explanations of human nature e.g. the case of Little Hans was used to explain how a phobia might develop

Question 25

True/False: The idiographic approach contributes to the nomothetic approach

Answer 25

True

Question 26

The idiographic/nomothetic approach uses in-depth, qualitative methods of investigation

Answer 26

idiographic

Question 27

The idiographic/nomothetic approach provides a global description one individual

Answer 27

idiographic

Question 28

How may in-depth qualitative methods of investigation used in the idiographic approach compliment the nomothetic approach?

Answer 28

By shedding further light on general laws or indeed challenging them. A single case may also generate a hypothesis for further study

Question 29

What is HM an example of in relation to the idiographic-nomothetic debate?

Answer 29

A piece of idiographic research that complemented the nomothetic approach as this single case generated hypotheses for further study - HM may reveal important insights about normal functioning which may contribute to our overall understanding

Question 30

There is a narrow and restricted nature of idiographic/nomothetic work

Answer 30

idiographic

Question 31

When it comes to the idiographic approach, meaningful generalisations cannot be made without...

Answer 31

further examples

Question 32

When it comes to the idiographic approach, meaningful generalisations cannot be made without further examples. This means there is no...

Answer 32

adequate baseline with which to compare behaviour

Question 33

Methods associated with the idiographic approach tend to be the most/least scientific

Answer 33

least

Question 34

Case studies are often associated with the nomothetic/idiographic approach

Answer 34

idiographic

Question 35

Why do methods such as case studies (as associated with the idiographic approach) tend to be the least scientific?

Answer 35

Conclusions often rely on the subjective interpretation of the researcher and as such, are open to bias

Question 36

The fact that the idiographic approach is narrow and restricted in its nature suggests that it is difficult to build...

Answer 36

effective general theories of human behaviour in the complete absence of nomothetic research

Question 37

A key similarity/difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches is how each relates to subjectivity and objectivity

Answer 37

difference

Question 38

The idea of objectivity lies at the heart of the idiographic/nomothetic approach

Answer 38

nomothetic

Question 39

Why does the idea of objectivity lie at the heart of the nomothetic approach?

Answer 39

Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way

Question 40

Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a ____________ and _________ way

Answer 40

standardised, objective

Question 41

Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way. This ensures...

Answer 41

true replication occurs across samples of behaviour

Question 42

Laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way. This ensures true replication occurs across samples of behaviour and removes...

Answer 42

contaminating influence of bias

Question 43

Researchers working within the idiographic approach tend to believe what about objectivity in psychological research?

Answer 43

They tend to believe it is not possible

Question 44

Why do researchers working within the idiographic approach tend to believe that objectivity in psychological research isn't possible?

Answer 44

It's people's individual experience of their unique context that is important rather than some underlying reality 'out there' that is waiting to be discovered

Question 45

In the idiographic approach it's people's individual experience of their unique context that is important rather than...

Answer 45

some underlying reality 'out there' that is waiting to be discovered

Question 46

It's people's individual experience of their unique context that is important rather than some underlying reality 'out there' that is waiting to be discovered. This standpoint is an example of which side of the idiographic-nomothetic debate?

Answer 46

Idiographic

Question 47

Why is it important to identify the two approaches (idiographic and nomothetic)?

Answer 47

They are distinct - each is appropriate in different situations for different research aims

Question 48

In attachment research, Schaffer's stages describe general stages of development. Is this an example of idiographic or nomothetic research?

Answer 48

Nomothetic

Question 49

In attachment research, case studies of extreme neglect highlight the subjective experience of never having formed an attachment. Is this an example of idiographic or nomothetic research?

Answer 49

Idiographic

Question 50

True/False: There is a sense in which idiographic and nomothetic approaches are just two ends of a continuum

Answer 50

True

Question 51

Millon (1995) explained that when diagnosing personality disorders, for example, how do clinicians use the idiographic and nomothetic approaches?

Answer 51

Clinicians begin with general nomothetic criteria, then use this to focus on the individual and their unique needs

Question 52

What did Millon (1995) say about the idiographic and nomothetic approaches?

Answer 52

There is a sense in which the approaches are just two ends of a continuum, and it may be better to use them in this way

Question 53

What is the main aim of the nomothetic approach?

Answer 53

Generalisation

Question 54

The main aim of the nomothetic approach is generalisation in order to create...

Answer 54

'laws'

Question 55

The main aim of the nomothetic approach is generalisation in order to create 'laws', which then...

Answer 55

can be applied to real-world situations, for example, individual situations such as drug therapy

Question 56

Nomothetic research is qualitative/quantitative

Answer 56

quantitative

Question 57

Idiographic/nomothetic research most closely fits traditional models of the 'scientific method'

Answer 57

nomothetic

Question 58

Hypotheses being formulated is an example of the nomothetic approach fitting the traditional models of what?

Answer 58

The scientific method

Question 59

True/False: All nomothetic research is on humans

Answer 59

False, sometimes animals too

Question 60

True/False: Psychological tests cannot be used as part of the nomothetic approach

Answer 60

False, they can

Question 61

What kind of data is produced from nomothetic research?

Answer 61

Numerical/quantitative

Question 62

Numerical data is produced by the nomothetic approach and then analysed for its...

Answer 62

statistical significance

Question 63

The behaviourist approach is idiographic/nomothetic

Answer 63

nomothetic

Question 64

Although Skinner used small samples, why was his research nomothetic?

Answer 64

He studied animals to develop general las of learning

Question 65

Skinner's research looked at one aspect of behaviour in a few animals with the main aim of doing what?

Answer 65

Establishing general laws

Question 66

Biological psychology makes use of idiographic/nomothetic approaches

Answer 66

Nomothetic

Question 67

Why is Sperry's split-brain research an example of nomothetic research?

Answer 67

It involved repeated testing and was in part the basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation

Question 68

One limitation of the idiographic/nomothetic approach is loss of understanding of the individual

Answer 68

nomothetic

Question 69

The fact that the nomothetic approach is preoccupied with general laws, prediction and control means it has been accused of...

Answer 69

'losing the whole person' within psychology

Question 70

Knowing that there is a 1% lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia tells us little about...

Answer 70

what life is like for someone who has been diagnosed with the disorder

Question 71

Understanding the subjective experience of schizophrenia might prove useful when it comes to devising appropriate treatment options, for example. This subjective research would be an example of idiographic/nomothetic research

Answer 71

idiographic

Question 72

In its search for generalities, the idiographic/nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to 'experience'

Answer 72

nomothetic

Question 73

The processes involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in what?

Answer 73

Natural sciences

Question 74

Give 2 examples of how the processes involved in nomothetic research are similar to those used in natural sciences

Answer 74

Any 2 from for establishing objectivity through standardisation, control and statistical testing

Question 75

True/False: Researchers using the idiographic approach also seek to objectify their methods

Answer 75

True

Question 76

What is triangulation in terms of idiographic research?

Answer 76

Findings from a range of studies using different qualitative methods are compared

Question 77

Why is triangulation used?

Answer 77

To increase the validity of findings of studies

Question 78

As a part of the research process, modern qualitative researchers are careful to _______ upon their own biases and preconceptions

Answer 78

reflect

Question 79

The fact that both idiographic and nomothetic approaches fit with the aims of science raises...

Answer 79

psychology's status as a science