Idiographic and nomothetic approaches -A-Level Psychology
Idiographic approach:
-an approach to research that focuses more on the individual case as a means of understanding behaviour,rather than aiming to formulate general laws.
-Subjective experiences.
-qualitative data (case studies,unstructured interviews,self-report measures)
E.g.humanistic approach (conscious experience of the individual) and psychodynamic approach(used case study method)
Nomothetic approach:
-an approach that attempts to study human behaviour through the development of general principles and universal laws.
-allows comparison,classification
-allows behaviour to be predicted/or controlled
-scientific methods
E.g reductionist and determinist approaches that employ scientific methods.Hypothesis are formulated ,rigorously tested ,analysed for statistical significance.Behaviourist,cognitive,biological(brain studies for localisation of function) approaches.General laws formed.
Evaluation:
The case for the idiographic approach-provides a complete,global account of the individual.Complements the nomothetic approach by shedding further light on general laws or challenging them.HM case study lead to generation of further hypothesis that contribute to overall understanding on normal functioning of the brain.
The case against idiographic approaches-narrow and restricted work.Oedipus complex was criticised as it was based on one single case study so meaningful generelaisations can’t be made without further examples ,as there is no baseline to compare behavior.Case studies are subjective and open to bias.
The case for the nomothetic approach-scientific,mirroring the natural sciences by testing under standardised conditions(averages,statistical analysis,control) e.g in IQ testing.So norms of typical behaviour such as the average IQ score can be set giving psychology greater scientific credibility.
The case against the nomothetic approach-lab studies lack external validity,subjective experiences ignored,overlooks the richness of human experience.
Idiographic and nomothetic approaches are two contrasting perspectives used to study human behavior. The idiographic approach focuses on understanding individuals as unique entities, emphasizing the subjective experiences and context of an individual’s behavior. The nomothetic approach, on the other hand, seeks to establish general laws and principles by studying groups of individuals and identifying common patterns or trends.
The idiographic approach emphasizes the uniqueness of individuals and focuses on in-depth, qualitative analysis of individual cases. It seeks to understand the complexity and diversity of human behavior within specific contexts. In contrast, the nomothetic approach aims to establish general principles and laws through quantitative research methods that involve studying larger samples of individuals to identify patterns or trends across populations.
Key concepts related to idiographic and nomothetic approaches include subjective experience, context, individual differences, general laws, patterns, trends, quantitative research methods, qualitative research methods, and the interplay between universality and individuality in understanding human behavior.
Idiographic and nomothetic approaches offer complementary perspectives in understanding human behavior. The idiographic approach allows for a deep understanding of individual uniqueness, contextual factors, and subjective experiences, while the nomothetic approach provides a broader understanding of general patterns, trends, and universal principles that may apply to larger populations. Together, they contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of human behavior.
Examples of idiographic research methods include case studies, qualitative interviews, and narrative analysis. These methods focus on in-depth exploration of individual cases and aim to understand the complexity and richness of an individual’s subjective experience. Examples of nomothetic research methods include experiments, surveys, and statistical analysis of large datasets. These methods aim to identify patterns or trends across populations and establish general principles or laws.
The idiographic approach emphasizes the importance of individual experiences and context, which aligns with the nurture perspective in the nature vs. nurture debate. It suggests that human behavior is shaped by environmental factors and experiences unique to each individual. On the other hand, the nomothetic approach focuses on identifying general laws and principles, which aligns with the nature perspective, suggesting that human behavior is determined by universal patterns and inherent traits.
Idiographic and nomothetic approaches are used in A-Level Psychology research to study human behavior from different perspectives. Researchers may use idiographic approaches, such as case studies or qualitative interviews, to gain in-depth insights into the unique experiences and contexts of individuals. Nomothetic approaches, such as experiments or surveys, may be used to identify general patterns or trends across populations and establish universal principles or laws.
The limitations of idiographic approaches in A-Level Psychology research may include limitations in generalizability, as findings from individual cases may not be applicable to broader populations. Additionally, idiographic approaches may be time-consuming, and findings may be subjective and difficult to replicate
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