The 4 differences between the ideographic and nomothetic approaches

The nomothetic and ideographic approaches are typical in personality psychology.

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

In this article we will discuss the differences between the idiographic and the nomothetic approachthe two main approaches used by these disciplines to study personality. We will see how the idiographic approach focuses more on the individual person, and the nomothetic approach on the traits common to individuals.

Approaches in personality psychology

To discuss the difference between idiographic and nomothetic approaches, let's first see what each of these approaches, used to investigate personality, consists of:

1. Idiographic approach

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

The methodology used by the idiographic approach consists of a selective examination of a few subjects; it is a clinical method.

2. Nomothetic approach

Looking at the characteristics of the idiographic approach allows us to approach the difference between the idiographic approach and the nomothetic approach. The nomothetic approach is based on the basic assumption that individuals are similar to one another. 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

A third approach appeared later, proposed by Lamiell in 1997. This is the idiographic approach, which is based on the idiographic study in order to obtain nomothetic (generalizable) principles.. In other words, it would be a combination of the two previous approaches.

Differences between the idiographic approach and the nomothetic approach

As we have seen, the most important difference between the idiographic and nomothetic approaches lies in the fact that the idiographic approach specializes in the unique characteristics It is therefore a more "personalized" approach focused on the individual as such. The nomothetic approach, on the other hand, seeks the generalities of personality, the traits common to all individuals, their similarities.

The idiographic approach understands generalizations as speculations without a solid basis, and prefers "the case" rather than "the law".and prefers "the case" rather than "the law". Furthermore, this approach believes in the "clean slate" (in the sense that we are born without a personality and that it is molded by the environment), and attaches 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, whereas the nomothetic approach understands the personality as a dynamic and holistic concept of personality.whereas the nomothetic approach understands personality as static and fragmented.

2. Theoretical approach

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

Moreover, the idiographic approach is more characteristic of individual personality psychology, and the nomothetic approach of general and differential personality psychology.

Type of research

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

4. Personality assessment

As far as personality assessment is concerned, the idiographic approach is based on a subjective and/or projective orientation, whereas in the nomothetic approach the assessment 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.

1. Idiographic theories

As for authors who defend an idiographic approach centered on the individual, we find:

• Sigmund Freud: with his psychoanalytic theory of personality.
• Rogers: with his phenomenological theory.
• Kelly: with his theory of personal constructs.
• Gordon Allport: with his personality theory.

2. Nomothetic theories

On the other hand, in relation to authors who defend a nomothetic approach centered on the traits common to all individuals, we find the following:

• Raymond B. Cattell: with his factorial-lexical personality theory.
• Eysenck: with his factorial-biological personality theory.
• Costa and McCrae: with their theory of the "Big Five" or 5 personality factors (Big Five model).
• Gray: with his factorial-biological model of personality.

Bibliographical references:

• Pueyo, A. (1997). Manual de Psicología Diferencial. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
• Sánchez-Elvira, A. (2005). Introduction to the study of individual differences. Madrid: Ed. Sanz y Torres. 2nd Edition.