How Do the Idiographic and Nomothetic Approaches to Studying Personality

question 124

Multiple Choice

How do the idiographic and nomothetic approaches to studying personality differ?

• A) The first focuses on the unique characteristics of the individual, whereas the latter looks at variation in characteristics common to all people.
• B) The first uses projective reports, whereas the latter employs case reports.
• C) The first uses research methods, whereas the latter employs psychobiography.
• D) They employ essentially the same methods but make different assumptions about personality dynamics.

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Definitions:

Factor Analysis

A method of demonstrating construct validity by statistically examining the relationship between subscales and the larger construct. It is frequently used in multiple aptitude tests to help developers determine the purity of subtests.

Multiple Abilities

The concept that intelligence is not a single factor but a collection of various cognitive skills and talents.

Cattell-Horn-Carroll

A comprehensive framework of human cognitive abilities that combines the theories of Raymond Cattell, John L. Horn, and Carroll, offering a detailed description of the structure of intelligence.

WISC-IV

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV, a clinical instrument designed to assess the cognitive ability of children between the ages of 6 and 16.