idiographic and nomothetic debate

Question 1

what is the idiographic debate

Answer 1

• psychology should be the study of individuals

Question 2

what is the nomothetic debate

Answer 2

psychology should be the study of large and varied groups to make generalisations about what is typical in different aspects of human behaviour. Established norms.

Question 3

explain the idiographic approach to psychological investigation

Answer 3

• number of participants small, often a single case
• research may include info from family/friends
• focus is on detail
• focus is on understanding the individual

Question 4

does an idiographic approach take on quantitative or qualitative research

Answer 4

qualitative: from first hand accounts from a small number of people (case studies). Participants interviewed in depth.

Question 5

give examples of idiographic research

Answer 5

• associated with humanistic and psychodynamic approaches
• carl rogers self development. Sigmund Freud little Hans.

Question 6

what are the strengths of the idiographic approach

Answer 6

• provides comprehensive, global understanding of the individual. Leads to better insight into complex and multi-layered nature of individual experience. Can inform therapies to suit individual needs
• reinstates human as focus of psychological research- nomothetic tends to banish individual from process of science. High ecological validity.

Question 7

what are the limitations to the idiographic approach

Answer 7

• not possible to generalise to wider population due to tiny sample size and unique, subjective nature. Limits usefulness
• methods used to study idiographic research are nomothetic so are prone to researcher bias as they may lose objectivity and impartiality and confirmation bias as researcher may look for things that agree with their line of vision therefore lacks credibility.

Question 8

explain the nomothetic approach to psychological investigations

Answer 8

• generalisations to create ‘laws’ and general principles of behaviour (theories) which could then be applied to individual scenarios.

Question 9

does the nomothetic approach use qualitative or quantitative research?

Answer 9

quantitative: hypothesis are formed, samples of people/animals are gathered and assessed in some way (e.g. structured questionnaire) and numerical data is produced and analysed for statistical significance. Seek to quantify human behaviour

Question 10

give examples of the nomothetic approach in psychology

Answer 10

• skinner studies animals to develop laws of learning
• Sperry’s split brain research involved repeated testing which acted as the basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation.

Question 11

what are the strengths to the nomothetic approach

Answer 11

• useful in predicting behaviour. Helps practicioners for depression diagnose and asses ppl quicker and recognise signs sooner.
• uses features of science in its methodology. Means its subjective, controlled, objective, standardised therefore has good reliability.

Question 12

what are the limitations to the nomothetic approach

Answer 12

• can highlight the ‘what’ of behaviour but not the ‘why’. Cant explain subjective experience that may be important. Therefore lacks external validity
• samples are not always large enough to generate universal laws. E.G Milgram’s obedience study only used 40 male ptpts so you cant effectively generalise the findings.

Question 13

which approach is objective

Answer 13

the nomothetic approach. laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assesment are delivered in a standardied and objective way. Ensures true replication and removes contaminating influence of bias.

Question 14

which approach is subjective?

Answer 14

idiographic. look at peoples individual experience and their unique context which is important.