Ideographic

Definition of Ideographic

The Canada social science dictionary [1] provides the following meaning of Ideographic: Explanations of specific events, phenomenon or behaviours which are sought in the careful examination of specific preceding events. For example, why did Mary murder the butler? Or, What caused World War I? For the most part clinical psychologists and historians are interested in ideographic explanations. Other disciplines, like sociology, are interested in explanations of classes of events or behaviours and seek these in a careful examination of a few general categories or classes of preceding events. For example, why do men murder their partners? Or, What are the causes of international violence? These explanations are known as nomothetic explanations.

Ideographic: Resources

Notes and References

• Drislane, R., & Parkinson, G. (2016). (Concept of) Ideographic. Online dictionary of the social sciences. Open University of Canada