8.5 Idiographic and Nomothetic Approaches

• What is the primary focus of the idiographic approach in psychology?

  Individual unique experiences
• The idiographic approach uses qualitative research methods like case studies and interviews.
• What is one strength of the idiographic approach in psychology?

  Rich, detailed understanding
• The idiographic approach is criticized for its lack of generalizability.
• What is one strength of the nomothetic approach in psychology?

  Identifying patterns in populations
• The nomothetic approach emphasizes establishing general laws and principles that apply to a larger population.
• The nomothetic approach may overlook individual differences in behavior.
• What is an example of idiographic research in psychology?

  Case study of PTSD patient
• What is an example of nomothetic research in psychology?

  Effect of therapy on anxiety
• The idiographic approach emphasizes an in-depth understanding of individual behavior and mental processes.
• Why is studying a patient's experience with PTSD using a case study considered idiographic research?

  Focus on unique factors
• The nomothetic approach uses quantitative research methods to identify patterns and trends.
• What is an example of nomothetic research in the context of anxiety treatment?

  Average effect of new therapy
• The idiographic approach focuses on individual experiences, while the nomothetic approach focuses on general laws and principles.
• The idiographic approach allows for tailored treatments based on individual uniqueness.
• How can detailed case studies in the idiographic approach contribute to psychology?

  Develop new theories
• What is the focus of the nomothetic approach in research?

  General laws and principles
• The nomothetic approach uses quantitative research methods like experiments and surveys
• A study investigating the effect of a new therapy on anxiety levels in a large sample is an example of nomothetic research.
• What type of research methods are used in the idiographic approach?

  Qualitative
• The idiographic approach focuses on understanding individual experiences
• The idiographic approach aims to identify patterns in populations.

  False
• What is one strength of the idiographic approach?

  Rich, detailed understanding
• The idiographic approach acknowledges that each person is unique
• Detailed case studies in the idiographic approach can lead to the development of new theories.
• What is a key weakness of the idiographic approach?

  Limited generalizability
• The subjectivity of qualitative methods in the idiographic approach can introduce bias
• The nomothetic approach uses quantitative research methods to establish general laws.
• What is one strength of the nomothetic approach?

  Generalizability
• By focusing on general laws, the nomothetic approach may overlook unique experiences
• Match the research approach with its key characteristics:

  Idiographic ↔️ Qualitative methods

  Nomothetic ↔️ Quantitative methods
• The idiographic approach focuses on identifying general patterns in populations.

  False
• Order the key strengths of the nomothetic approach:

  1️⃣ Generalizability

  2️⃣ Objectivity

  3️⃣ Development of general theories
• Order the key weaknesses of the idiographic approach:

  1️⃣ Limited generalizability

  2️⃣ Subjectivity
• What is one weakness of the nomothetic approach?

  Simplified reality
• The nomothetic approach often lacks consideration for social and cultural context.
• What is one limitation of the nomothetic approach?

  Loss of individual detail
• The nomothetic approach may distort behavior by simplifying it into measurable variables
• The idiographic approach provides broadly applicable conclusions.

  False
• What type of research methods does the nomothetic approach use?

  Quantitative