Idiographic vs Nomothetic approaches

Question 1

What does ‘Idiographic’ mean?

Answer 1

From the Greek word ‘Idios’ meaning own. Psychologists who take this approach focus on the individual and emphasise the unique experience of human behaviour. They will study individuals using qualitative data.

Question 2

What does ‘Nomothetic’ mean?

Answer 2

From the Greek ‘Nomos’ meaning law. Psychologists are concerned with establishing general laws about behaviour from the study of groups of people using quantitative statistical techniques.