Discuss idiographic and nomothetic approaches in psychology. (16 marks)
The idiographic approach is where psychologists focus on the individual and people are
studied as unique entities each with their own subjective experiences. Idiographic
researchers favour methods such as case studies and interviews that produce qualitive data,
because they allow an in-depth insight into individual behaviour. Examples of idiographic
approach is humanistic psychology because there is a strong focus on the individual. This is
as Maslow and Rogers were only interested in documenting the conscious experience of the
individual or ‘self’ rather producing general laws of behaviour.
Whereas psychologists that take a nomothetic approach are concerned with establishing
general laws, based on the study of large group and the use of statistical (quantitative)
techniques, such as experiments, correlations etc to analyse data. This approach is
considered scientific as it includes large number of people in order to establish the way in
which people are similar or different. Biological psychologists take a nomothetic approach
when explaining disorders such as OCD. They typically state biological factor such as
neurotransmitters are responsible for disorders and use biological therapies (drugs) to treat
all people.
A strength of the ideographic approach is that it provides rich data. For example, the case of
KF exposed a limitation of the MSM by providing evidence that our STM compromises of at
least two components (auditory and visual memory) and not one, as stipulated by Atkinson
and Shiffrin. Therefore, a single case can generate further research into particular
phenomenon memory which contributes to the development of new theories highlighting a
strength of idiographic approach to psychological investigations.
A limitation of the idiographic approach is that it lacks scientific rigour. This is as methods
associated with the approach like case studies tend to be the least scientific as judgements
are based on subjective interpretations of the research and so open to bias. For example,
many of Freuds concept of Oedipus complex was developed from a single detailed study of
Little Hans. Thus, meaningful generalisation cannot be made as conclusions often rely on the
subjective interpretations of researcher and are therefore open to bias making the approach
less scientific.
A strength of the nomothetic approach is that it is considered scientific. This is the approach
uses experimental, controlled methods and the ability to predict behaviour are all strengths
of the approach. Therefore, this is important as controlled methods allow psychologists to
replicate research to examine the reliability of the findings, which has helped psychology
establish itself as a scientific as laws and theories can be empirically tested. Furthermore, as
the nomothetic approach is considered scientific its useful for controlling and predicting
behaviour. For example, biological psychologist takes a nomothetic approach when
explaining OCD and claim OCD is caused by lower level of serotonin and higher levels of
dopamine. Due to this drug therapies are created based on nomothetic research and work
by readdressing hormone imbalances. SSRIs are used to treat OCD and they increase
serotonin, therefore reducing anxiety associated with OCD improving the lives of the
sufferers of this condition.
The idiographic approach is where psychologists focus on the individual and people are
studied as unique entities each with their own subjective experiences. Idiographic
researchers favour methods such as case studies and interviews that produce qualitive data,
because they allow an in-depth insight into individual behaviour. Examples of idiographic
approach is humanistic psychology because there is a strong focus on the individual. This is
as Maslow and Rogers were only interested in documenting the conscious experience of the
individual or ‘self’ rather producing general laws of behaviour.
Whereas psychologists that take a nomothetic approach are concerned with establishing
general laws, based on the study of large group and the use of statistical (quantitative)
techniques, such as experiments, correlations etc to analyse data. This approach is
considered scientific as it includes large number of people in order to establish the way in
which people are similar or different. Biological psychologists take a nomothetic approach
when explaining disorders such as OCD. They typically state biological factor such as
neurotransmitters are responsible for disorders and use biological therapies (drugs) to treat
all people.
A strength of the ideographic approach is that it provides rich data. For example, the case of
KF exposed a limitation of the MSM by providing evidence that our STM compromises of at
least two components (auditory and visual memory) and not one, as stipulated by Atkinson
and Shiffrin. Therefore, a single case can generate further research into particular
phenomenon memory which contributes to the development of new theories highlighting a
strength of idiographic approach to psychological investigations.
A limitation of the idiographic approach is that it lacks scientific rigour. This is as methods
associated with the approach like case studies tend to be the least scientific as judgements
are based on subjective interpretations of the research and so open to bias. For example,
many of Freuds concept of Oedipus complex was developed from a single detailed study of
Little Hans. Thus, meaningful generalisation cannot be made as conclusions often rely on the
subjective interpretations of researcher and are therefore open to bias making the approach
less scientific.
A strength of the nomothetic approach is that it is considered scientific. This is the approach
uses experimental, controlled methods and the ability to predict behaviour are all strengths
of the approach. Therefore, this is important as controlled methods allow psychologists to
replicate research to examine the reliability of the findings, which has helped psychology
establish itself as a scientific as laws and theories can be empirically tested. Furthermore, as
the nomothetic approach is considered scientific its useful for controlling and predicting
behaviour. For example, biological psychologist takes a nomothetic approach when
explaining OCD and claim OCD is caused by lower level of serotonin and higher levels of
dopamine. Due to this drug therapies are created based on nomothetic research and work
by readdressing hormone imbalances. SSRIs are used to treat OCD and they increase
serotonin, therefore reducing anxiety associated with OCD improving the lives of the
sufferers of this condition.
