idiographic

• Idiographic: "Ideo" own/ private:

  Each individual is unique and complex
• Idiographic research studies individuals' subjective experiences, behaviours, and personalities. There is als an attempt to understand the cultural, social, and environmental context that influences an individual.
• As each individual is assumed to be unique, there is usually no attempt to generalise to find general laws.
• Non-Experimental techniques: including in-depth case studies, content analysis and unstructured interviews.
• Qualitative (words) data is collected (rich in detail)
• Unscientific: ideographic data is unreliable, as two case studies will always differ. However, data is arguably more valid (truthful) in its description of behaviour.
• Approaches include Humanistic psychology (and arguably Psychodynamics)
• examples of idiographic approach used in psych:

  • humanistic psych & client-centred therapy
  • case studies
• how is humanistic psych & client-centred therapy idiographic?

  • Humanistic psychologists argue that due to the subjective and highly complex psychological aspects of human experience, humans are not suitable for scientific study in the same way as physical objects
  • Rogers and Maslow preferred to investigate the uniqueness of human experience instead of developing generalisable behavioural laws
  • This approach informs client-centred therapy, a technique that takes a highly individualised approach to treatment
• how are case studies idiographic?

  • used in a range of psychological fields, including cognitive psychology (Clive Wearing), biological psychology (Tan), and Psychodynamics (Little Hans)
  • in-depth investigations provide insights into the structure of mental processes like memory and brain function that wouldn't be possible experimentally
  • insights are used to inform theoretical models, support or contradict previous theories and construct testable hypotheses that can then be tested experimentally
• What is the idiographic approach to psychological investigation?

  It focuses on detailed understanding of individuals (often a single case), aiming to learn from their unique experiences. Information may also come from people close to the individual.
• Does the idiographic approach avoid making generalisations?

  No. While the focus is initially on understanding the individual, generalisations can still be made.
• What type of data is commonly used in idiographic research?

  Qualitative data, such as first-hand accounts, in-depth interviews, and case studies.
• How is data typically collected in idiographic research?

  Through unstructured or semi-structured interviews that explore personal experiences and behaviours in depth.
• How is data from idiographic research analysed?

  Emergent themes are identified from the qualitative data, and conclusions are drawn which may benefit others or inform professional practice.
• Which psychological approaches are most associated with the idiographic method?

  The humanistic and psychodynamic approaches.
• Give an example of idiographic research from the humanistic approach.

  Rogers used in-depth therapy sessions to explore self-development and the importance of unconditional positive regard.
• Give an example of idiographic research from the psychodynamic approach.

  Freud’s case study of Little Hans was used to explain how phobias may develop based on individual experience