Idiographic & nomothetic approaches

Discuss the idiographic approach to psychological investigation.

Using an example of a research study you have learned about in psychology, outline what is meant by a nomothetic approach to psychological investigation.

Referring to the example used in your answer to Question 04, briefly explain how the same behaviour might be studied using an idiographic approach to psychological investigation.

In this study, the students used a nomothetic approach for their research.

Name the opposite approach to the nomothetic approach. Briefly outline what this opposite approach might have involved in a study of friendly behaviour.

What is a 'nomothetic approach’? Suggest one limitation of a nomothetic approach.

Which of the following best describes an idiographic approach in psychology? Write A, B, C, or D in your answer book.

A Studying individuals in order to establish general laws of behaviour.

B Studying individuals without intending to establish general laws of behaviour. C Studying large samples in order to establish general laws of behaviour.

D Studying large samples without intending to establish general laws of behaviour.