idiographic science
- noun
- /ˌɪdiəˈɡræfɪk ˈsaɪəns/
- Specialized
:
ciencia idiográfica
- Unlike nomothetic approaches, idiographic science prioritizes in-depth study of single cases or events.
Examples
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Clinical psychology frequently employs idiographic science to explore unique patterns in patients’ experiences.
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Experience sampling methods are vital tools in modern idiographic science to understand individual personality processes.
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The study of personal experiences is a key aspect of idiographic science.
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Many psychologists prefer idiographic sciences for their depth of understanding.
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Clinical psychology frequently employs idiographic science to explore unique patterns in patients’ experiences.
-
Unlike nomothetic approaches, idiographic science prioritizes in-depth study of single cases or events.
-
Experience sampling methods are vital tools in modern idiographic science to understand individual personality processes.
Synonyms
An approach that studies each person or case in detail to understand their unique experience
Antonyms
How Particular
Surface Forms
Morphology
Given knowledge of 'idiographic' (pertaining to unique individual cases) and 'science' (systematic study), a learner can directly infer that 'idiographic science' refers to a scientific approach focused on individual or unique cases. The adjective+noun composition is compositional and follows regular semantic combination patterns, making the meaning transparent to someone who knows the constituents.
Etymology
Idiographic science comes from old Greek words: idio- meaning 'own' or 'single' and -graphic meaning 'to write' or 'describe'. So it gives the image of carefully writing the story of one person or case, which is why it means studying unique, individual cases rather than general laws.