Issues & Debates Idiographic vs Nomothetic Flashcards
A01 - What Is The Idiographic Approach?
The idiographic approach is a method used of investigating behaviour that focuses on individuals rather on groups.
It is unique and uses case studies.
This means findings are not usually generalised
Qualitative methods of investigation are often used.
A01 - Example Of Idiographic Approach - HM Case
HM a man who suffered from severe epilepsy.
In attempt to treat his condition, he underwent surgery.
This resulted in him losing part of his brain responsible for the formation of LTM in the hippocampus.
A03 - How Does The Use Of Qualitative Methods Of Data Collection Make It A Strength For The Approach?
The idiographic approach uses qualitiative methods of data collection.
This is beneficial as the more in depth data provides more detailed accounts of experience which may support or challenge existing theories.
An example of this is HM, whose case study demonstrated that different types of long term memory are associated with different regions of the brain.
This led to further research on both memory and localisation.
A03 - How Was Ecological Validity Reduced?
Theories that developed from case studies may struggle to generalise beyond the individual.
This reduces ecological validity of these findings as generalisations cannot be made.
This means the idiographic approach alone cannot be used to imrpove the scientific creditbility of psychology.
m
A03 - How Does The Nomothetic Approach Allow Generalisations?
The nomothetic approach seeks to create general rules of behaviour by focusing on large groups of people.
Unlike the idiographic approach the nomothetic uses quantitative methods of data collection.
The nomothetic is associated with the scientific method such as lab experiments and controlled observations.
A03 - How Does Being Highly Scientific Make The Nomothetic Approach A Strength?
The nomothetic approach is highly scientific this means that results are objective and reliable as the conditions used to attain them have a high degree of control.
As a result the findings have scientific creditibility and can be used to prove theories proposed by psychologists.
A03 - How Can The Approaches Be Used Together?
The idiographic and nomothetic approach can be used to compliment eachother.
Millon & Davis suggests that research should start with a nomothetic approach and once general laws are established researchers can then use a idiographic approach.
Doing this allows the research to have high reliability given by the nomothetic approach and then more detailed findings attained by the idiographic approach.
