Idiographic/Nomothetic

• Idiographic Approach


  - derived from the Greek 'idios' meaning 'private' or 'personal'

  
  

  - an approach in research which focuses more on the individual as a means of explaining behaviour
• Nomothetic Approach


  - derived from the Greek 'nomos' meaning 'law'

  
  

  - studies human behaviour through the development of general principles and universal laws
• Qualitative Research & the Idiographic Approach


  - most idiographic research is qualitative

  
  

  - e.g. research on depression would be based upon the first-hand accounts of a small number of people (case studies)

  
  

  - participants would be interviewed in depth focusing on a particular facet of human behaviour: such as how participants cope with their experience

  
  

  - data is analysed and emergent themes are identified, conclusions may help other people with similar experiences and mental health professionals determine best practice
• Examples of the Idiographic Approach


  - the idiographic approach is the most associated with the humanistic and psychodynamic approach

  
  

  - e.g. Carl Rogers explained self-development through unconditional positive regard which was derived from clients from in-depth conversations

  
  

  - Freud's observation of individuals were the basis of his explanations of human nature e.g. Little Hans
• Quantitative Data & the Nomothetic Approach


  - nomothetic research is more close to the 'scientific method' in psychology

  
  

  - hypotheses are formulated, samples of participants are assessed and the numerical data produced is analysed for statistical significance

  
  

  - nomothetic approaches seek to quantify human behaviour
• Examples of Nomothetic Approach


  - behaviourists and the biological approach are nomothetic though they sometimes used quite small samples

  
  

  - e.g. Skinner studied animals to develop the general laws of learning looking at a few to establish general laws

  
  

  - similarly biological psychology may use a small sample such as Sperry's split brain research which formed the basis for understanding hemispheric lateralisation
• Objectivity & the Nomothetic Approach

  - objectivity is the basis of the nomothetic approach

  
  

  - laws of behaviour are only possible if methods of assessment are delivered in a standardised and objective way

  
  

  - this ensures true replication occurs across samples of behaviour and removes the contaminating influence of bias
• Subjectivity & the Idiographic Approach


  - researchers working within the idographic approach tend not to believe in objectivity in the psychological research is possible

  
  

  - people's individual experience of the unique context is what is important, rather than some underlying reality 'out there' that s waiting to be discovered
• Complete Account: Strength


  - the idiographic approach contributes to the nomothetic approach

  
  

  - the idiographic approach uses in-depth qualitative methods of investigation which provide global descriptions of one individuals

  
  

  - this compliments the nomothetic approach by shedding further light on general laws or challenging them

  
  

  - suggesting that even though the focus is on fewer individuals, the idiographic approach may help form 'scientific' laws of behaviour
• Complete Account: Counterpoint


  - the idiographic approach should still acknowledge its narrow and restricted view

  
  

  - meaningful generalisations can't be made without further examples meaning there is no adequate baseline to compare behaviour

  
  

  - methods associated with the idiographic approach e..g case studies tend to be less scientific in that conclusions are often subjective interpretations of researchers

  
  

  - suggesting that it is difficult to build effective general theories of human behaviour in the complete absence of nomothetic research
• Scientific Credibility: Strength


  - both approaches fit with the aims of science

  
  

  - processes involved in the nomothetic research are similar to those used in the natural sciences

  
  

  - e.g. establishing objectivity through standardisation, control and statistical testing

  
  

  - researchers using the idiographic approach also seek to objectify their methods e.g. triangulation and reflexivity

  
  

  - this suggests that both nomothetic and idiographic approaches raise psychological status as a science
• Losing the Person: Limitation


  - the nomothetic approach can lose understanding of the individual

  
  

  - the nomothetic approach's preoccupation with general laws, predictions and control means it has been accused of 'losing the whole person'

  
  

  - e.g. knowing there is a 1% lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia doesn't tell us about what life is like for someone with the condition

  
  

  - understanding the subjective experience of schizophrenia can prove useful when devising treatment options

  
  

  - meaning he nomothetic approach may sometimes fail to relate to 'experience
• Distinct or Complementary?


  - it's important to identify the 2 approaches because they are distinctive

  
  

  - each is appropriate in different situations for different research aims e.g. attachment studies:

  . Schaffer: describe the general stages of development

  
  

  . case studies of extreme neglect: highlight the subjective experience of never forming an attachment

  
  

  - there is also a sense of the 2 approaches being 2 ends of continuum

  
  

  - (Millon, 1995) clinicians begin with general nomothetic criteria when diagnosing personality disorders then use this to focus on the individual and their unique needs