4.3.1 AQA Psychology Issues and Debates Questions and Answers

4.3.1 AQA Psychology Issues and Debates Questions and Answers Idiographic definition - Answer-focus on the individual and emphasise the unique personal experience of human nature Doesn't seek to formulate laws or generalise results to others Nomothetic definition - Answer-concerned with establishing general laws based on the study of large groups of people What research methods do idiographic approaches prefer and why? - Answer-case studies, unstructured interviews Provide an in-depth insight into individual behaviour AO3 of the idiographic approach - Answer-Weaknesses of using unscientific methods e.g. uncontrolled, hard to replicate, low generalisability Power of case studies e.g. KF generating further research by highlighting flaws within a whole theory What research methods do nomothetic approaches prefer and why? - Answer-research methods: experiments, correlational research approach is scientific Statistical and quantitative methods to analyse data AO3 of nomothetic approach - Answer-Benefits of using scientific methods e.g. quantitative methods, controlled, reliable methods Application of approach - biological approach using drug treatments for mental health issues e.g. OCD/depression Many approaches in psychology adopt both an idiographic and nomothetic approach e.g. psychodynamic and cognitive Idiographic examples - Answer-Case study KF in memory - STM of auditory information better than visual, STM consists of multiple components. KF = undermined model of MSM Nomothetic examples - Answer-Biological approach e.g. OCD, depression as they pinpoint a biological factor e.g. neurotransmitters that are responsible for these disorders