A psychologist collects data from a large number of people. She places each person on a continuum ranging from high to low conscientiousness and makes predictions about how people in the high range will act compared to those in the low range. This psychologist is using which approach to understanding personality?
A) Type approach
B) Nomothetic approach
C) Idiographic approach
D) Common trait approach

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The psychologist is using the nomothetic approach, which involves studying large groups of people and identifying general principles and traits that apply to most or all individuals. This approach seeks to identify consistent patterns of behavior and use them to make predictions about how people will act based on their scores on various personality measures.

A Psychologist Collects Data from a Large Number of People