The 4 Differences Between the Idiographic and Nomothetic Approaches

Personality psychology is concerned with studying individual differences in personality on behavior. Very close to it we find differential psychology, which analyzes the causes of these differences.

In this article we will talk about the differences between idiographic and nomothetic approach, the two major approaches that these disciplines use to study personality. We will see how the idiographic focuses more on the individual person, and the nomothetic on the traits common to individuals.

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Approaches in personality psychology

To talk about the difference between an idiographic and nomothetic approach, let’s first see what each of these approaches consists of, used to research personality:

1. Idiographic approach

The idiographic approach It has the fundamental assumption that individuals are unique and unrepeatable beings Its objective is to understand human beings individually, and is based on an intensive study of them (also individually).

The methodology that uses the idiographic approach consists of a selective examination of a few subjects; This is a clinical method.

2. Nomothetic approach

Seeing the characteristics of the idiographic approach allows us to approach the difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches. For its part, the nomothetic approach It is based on the basic assumption that individuals are similar to each other Its objective is to obtain general laws applicable to the population.

Its methodology is based on the examination of large samples of subjects, and uses correlational and experimental methods.

3. Idiotic approach

Later, a third approach appears, proposed by Lamiell in 1997. This is the idiotic approach, which part of the idiographic study to obtain nomothetic principles (generalizable) That is, it would be a combination of the two previous approaches.

Differences between the idiographic and nomothetic approach

As we have seen, the most important difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches lies in the fact that the idiographic approach specializes in the unique features of the person; It is therefore a more “personalized” approach focused on the individual himself. For its part, the nomothetic approach seeks the generalities of personality, the traits common to all individuals, their similarities.

The idiographic approach understands generalizations as speculations without solid basis, and prefers “the case” instead of “the law.” Furthermore, this approach believes in the “blank slate” (in the sense that we are born without personality and that it is shaped by the environment), and gives great importance to culture and society. The environment is important in molding personalities and “creating” individuals.

On the other hand, there are other characteristics to take into account.

1. Concept of personality

Another difference between idiographic and nomothetic approach is that The idiographic approach has a dynamic and holistic concept of personality while the nomothetic understands personality as something static and fragmented.

2. Theoretical approach

The theoretical approach allows authors or researchers to follow a theoretical line of work that guides their studies. The theoretical approach It is subjectivist in the idiographic approach and objectivist in the nomothetic approach

Furthermore, the idiographic approach is more typical of an individual personality psychology, and the nomothetic approach is more typical of a general and differential personality psychology.

3. Type of research

Another difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches is found in the type of research, since This is intensive in the case of the idiographic approach and extensive in the nomothetic approach

4. Personality assessment

Regarding the evaluation of personality, the idiographic approach is based on a subjective and/or projective orientation, while in the nomothetic approach the evaluation follows objective and/or psychometric methods.

Personality theories

Now that we have seen the difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches from different perspectives and focusing on different aspects, Let’s see which authors correspond to each approach