A03

• strength- scientific methods

  • eg lab studies
  • high control of evs and cvs- cause and effect relationships`
  • standardised methods, replicable, reliable
  • however lack mundane realism thus eco val
  • overall help to establish psychology as a science, producing general laws of behaviour and gives psychology scientific rigour
• += establishes general laws and principles

  • certain norms and standards of behaviour eeg average IQ being 100, norms act as a good baseline comparison for mental disorders or intellectual abilities
  • thus can help with diagnosis and treaments eg IDD needs IQ below 70 for diagnosis, thus can gain treatment, return to work, benefit economy
• limitation

  • undervalues impact of individual differences and individual experiences
  • nomothetic approach critised for 'losing the whole person'
  • mental disorders very subjective to an individual and must be studied individually in order to gain right treatment to improve the QOL of an individual
  • eg causes of depression can differ from low levels of serotonin to periods of grief or environmental factors
  • Therefore, the nomothetic approach, from this standpoint, has done little to improve people’s lives in comparison to the idiographic approach. 
• nomothetic and idiographic

  • Nomothetic and idiographic approaches may be complementary to each other, rather than contradictory
  • For example, Milton and Davis suggests that research should start with a nomothetic approach and once general laws have been produced the focus should switch to an idiographic approach to develop our understanding and theories.
  • Therefore, either approach can be used depending on the aims and nature of the research.