Nomothetic v Idiographic

Question 1

Nomothetic

Answer 1

Nomothetic- focuses on general principles and laws that apply to groups of individuals-n mainly concerned with studying what we share with others

Question 2

nomethetic strengths

Answer 2

+Regarded as scientific – objective and controlled methods allowing replication and generalisation, data can be collected relatively quickly

+Developing laws and theories which can be empirically tested

Question 3

nomothetic limitations

Answer 3

-Predictions can be made about groups, but these may not apply to individuals

-The approach has been accused of losing sight of the ‘whole person’

Question 4

idiographic

Answer 4

Idiographic- understanding individuals in their unique context- individualized factors and experiences that contribute to a persons behaviour-

Question 5

idiographic strengths

Answer 5

+Focus on the individual

+Findings can serve as a source of ideas or hypotheses for later study

Question 6

idiographic limitations

Answer 6

Time consuming- time and money to study individuals in depth

Question 7

The data collected in nomothetic

Answer 7

Quantitative

Question 8

The data collected in idiographic

Answer 8

Qualitative

Question 9

Example of nomothetic

Answer 9

eg. Bowlbys theory of maternal deprivation

Question 10

Example of idiographic

Answer 10

eg. Shallice and Warrington 1970