Is SLT Nomothetic or Idiographic?

The behavioural, SLT, cognitive and biological approaches are scientific, nomothetic, and reductionist. While the psychodynamic and humanistic approaches are holistic, idiographic (or contain idiographic elements), and do not use the scientific method.

Is the SLT approach idiographic or nomothetic?

Nomothetic: SLT aims to establish general laws of behaviour (e.g. through observation, imitation of role models and reinforcement). SLT uses laboratory experiments to generate quantitative data to make generalisations.

Is trait theory nomothetic or idiographic?

The psychometric approach to the study of personality compares individuals in terms of traits or dimensions common to everyone. This is a nomothetic approach, and two examples are Hans Eysenck's type and Raymond Cattell's 16PF trait theories.

Is the SLT approach reductionist or holistic?

reductionism. The behaviorist approach and social learning are reductionist; they isolate parts of complex behaviors to study. Behaviorists take the view that all behavior, no matter how complex, can be broken down into the fundamental processes of conditioning.

Is the cognitive approach nomothetic?

Examples of the nomothetic approach include the biological approach in psychology, classical and operant conditioning, conformity, and obedience. The cognitive approach is largely nomothetic with idiographic aspects to it.

Idiographic versus Nomothetic Approaches - Psychology A-level Revision Video - Study Rocket

Why is SLT reductionist?

Research has suggested that testosterone is the primary cause of aggression, and there are other genetic contributions involved. Hence SLT is therefore reductionist as it doesn't not consider biological factors influencing aggression, rather it places too much emphasis on the behavioural approach.

Which approaches are idiographic?

Examples of idiographic research methods include case studies, qualitative interviews, and narrative analysis. These methods focus on in-depth exploration of individual cases and aim to understand the complexity and richness of an individual's subjective experience.

Is the social learning theory idiographic?

Social learning theories such as operant learning theory, Bandura's social learning theory or Erikson's eight stages of personality development theory fit into idiographic approach.

What are the assumptions of SLT?

Bandura made the following assumptions: Humans naturally learn through observation. Reinforcement and punishment impact (but do not directly lead to) learning. Mediational processes determine whether a student follows the behaviors they observe.

Is the SLT approach deterministic or free will?

It may be that differences like these reflect genetic influences on behaviour that social learning theory takes no account of. Although the approach appears less mechanistic than behaviourism, social learning theorists generally do not believe in free will, and take a deterministic view of human behaviour.

What is an example of nomothetic vs Idiographic approach?

One would typically use qualitative methods like ethnographic research, participant observation, interviews, and focus groups to conduct idiographic research. Quantitative methods such as large-scale surveys and statistical analysis of demographic or historical data would be used to conduct nomothetic research.

What approaches are nomothetic?

The term 'nomothetic' comes from the Greek word 'nomos' which means 'law'. Psychologists who take a nomothetic approach are concerned with establishing general laws, based on the study of large groups of people, and the use of statistical (quantitative) techniques to analyse data.

What is an example of idiographic theory?

An example of an idiographic assessment method is Kelly's repertory grid technique in which bipolar constructs are elicited; these may be unique to the individual (e.g., an individual sees the world on a dimension such as “good” vs. “fat”) and not applicable to others.

Is the social learning theory nature or nurture?

Social Learning Theory

Albert Bandura's theory is another nurture approach that emphasises the importance of the environment except it also assumes that behaviour is acquired through the process of observational learning.

What is the difference between SCT and SLT?

SCT emphasizes the role of mental processes in shaping behavior, while SLT focuses on the role of observation and imitation. Additionally, SCT views motivation as a cognitive process, while SLT views it as a function of reinforcement and punishment.

What are the advantages of SCT?

SCT provides opportunities for social support through instilling expectations, self-efficacy, and using observational learning and other reinforcements to achieve behavior change.

What is the difference between social learning theory and social cognitive theory?

Additionally, social learning theory posits that all behavior is learned through observation, while Social Cognitive Theory allows for the possibility of learning through other means, such as direct experience.

What is an example of nomothetic research?

In psychology, nomothetic refers to research about general principles or generalizations across a population of individuals. For example, the Big Five model of personality and Piaget's developmental stages are nomothetic models of personality traits and cognitive development respectively.

What type of approach is social learning theory?

Social learning theory is the study of learned behaviors through the observation, modeling, and imitating of new behaviors that are reinforced by other people, or “models.” As a result, new behaviors either continue or cease depending on how they are reinforced or rewarded in the social environment.

Is psychodynamic approach idiographic or nomothetic?

Idiographic vs. Nomothetic

Freud argued that human behavior is governed by universal processes that apply to everyone e.g. the tripartite structure of the mind (nomothetic). However, he also proposed that the ways in which these processes manifest themselves in the individual is unique (idiographic).

What are the weakness of idiographic approach?

The idiographic approach is unable to produce general laws or predictions about human behaviour, and that severely limits its usefulness as a source of practical knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders.

What does nomothetic mean?

no·​mo·​thet·​ic ˌnä-mə-ˈthe-tik ˌnō- : relating to, involving, or dealing with abstract, general, or universal statements or laws.

What are the negatives of idiographic approach?

Weaknesses of Idiographic

Less scientific due to the emphasis on in-depth data collection and qualitative data which can be open to subjectivity and bias. There is also difficulties when replicating research – especially when using idiographic methods such as case studies.

What is SLT theory in psychology?

Social learning theory suggests that social behavior is learned by observing and imitating the behavior of others. Psychologist Albert Bandura developed social learning theory open_in_new as an alternative to the earlier work of fellow psychologist B.F. Skinner, known for his influence on behaviorism.

What is SLT aggression theory?

The social learning theory of aggression explains how aggressive patterns develop, what provokes people to behave aggressively, and what sustains such actions after they have been initiated. The value of particular aggressive acts derives from social labeling.