Idiogrpahic Vs Nomothetic Flashcards
Def idiographic
Focuses on uniqueness of individuals, everyone is different and no one should be compared
Examples of idiographic methods
In-depth interviews, case studies, qualitative and holistic data
Def nomothetic
Aims to make general laws about behaviours, allowing comparison to be made
Examples of idiographic
- Maslow heirachy if need
- Freud’s psychodynamic approach
How is Maslow heirachy of needs idiographic
Humanistic approach focuses on individuals conscious experience of self, anti-scientific
3 examples of nomothetic
- classifying people into groups using DSM
- normal distribution curve
- biological approach
How is classifying people using DSM nomothetic
Uses general laws about mental health disorders to classify people according to their symptoms shown
How is normal distribution curve nomothetic
Establishing dimensions, individuals plotted along curve to see how they compare with general population eg IQ
What is meant by the compromise
Idiographic and nomothetic can be used together because they compliment each other by giving fuller explanations and understanding of the behaviour
Two examples of a compromise
- psychodynamic approach
- attachment
Hose is psychodynamic approach a compromise
- idiographic case studies used to make nomothetic laws about certain behaviours
- eg the unconscious has an important part in influencing behaviour
- the psychosexual states of development are general laws but a person may have individual experiences and develop differently
How is attachment a compromise
- case studies such a koluchova twins have added detailed insight
- this insight is used to better understand how bowlbys theory of attachment my affect development
Strength of idiographic approach
Type of data collected
- qualitative methods eg in depth interviews
- gives rich and subjective information
- detailed insight allowing researchers to explore with greater depth
- useful for identifying new research
- greater validity contributing to psychological understanding
Strength if nomothetic
Type of data collected
- quantitative methods - larger samples easier to statistically analyse
- researchers better able to formulate trends and patterns to explain common behaviour in large groups
- good for comparisons with science, objective
Weakness of nomothetic
Level of detail
- not much detail in rich depth because large population has little individual experienced
- researchers can’t explore surrounding issues in great depth
- using qualitative methods eg surveys could means social desirability affects results therefore can’t be used effectively
