Idiographic vs. Nomathetic

• Idiographic


  Often a single case and attempts to describe the nature of the individual. People are studied as unique entities, and rich, detailed and qualitative data is produced.

  • Humanistic and psychodynamic approaches
• Nomathetic


  Aims to produce general laws of human behaviour involving large studies to establish ways people are similar. Provides a 'norm' that people can be compared, classified and measured against. Associated with methods regarded as scientific.

  • SLT, Cognitive, Behaviourist and Biological approach
• Eval : Strength


  The idiographic approach focuses on the individual, Allport said that only by knowing a person can we predict their behaviour. Suggests an idiographic approach has allowed psychology to have a more complete understanding.
• Eval : Weakness


  The idiographic approach is unable to produce general predictions about behaviour that may be useful e.g. treating mental illness. Biological psychologists use a nomathetic approach with OCD being the cause of low serotonin to develop SSRIs, which are effective.
• Eval : Middleground


  Both idiographic and nomathetic can consider an issue from both perspectives. Case studies often pave the way for research on a greater scale which can lead to general laws. The two approaches can be seen as complementary rather than contradictory to lead to greater understanding of human behaviour.