idiographic / nomothetic

Question 1

What does idiographic mean

Answer 1

A detailed qualitative study of one individual or small group to provide an in depth understanding of behaviour

Question 2

What does nomothetic mean

Answer 2

A quantitive study of larger groups with the aim of discovering norms, universal laws of behaviour generalised to population

Question 3

What are the features of nomothetic approach

Answer 3

Belief that we are species
Large groups
Experimental measures
Quantitive data
Analyse data statistically
Create stat benchmark
Generalise these to the target population

Question 4

What are the features of idiographic approach

Answer 4

Believe in the uniqueness of individuals
Research individuals or small groups
Case studies
Generalise qualiitive data
Identify emergent themes
Create detailed insight into behaviour
Focus on understanding the individual but has to be done with caution

Question 5

Example of idiographic research

Answer 5

Clive

Question 6

Example of nomothetic research

Answer 6

Baddelys cat and mat study