Idiographic image
Encyclopedia
In the field of clinical
sciences
, an idiographic image (from Greek ιδιος-γραφιχος: ídios + graphikós, meaning "to describe a peculiarity") is the representation of a result which has been obtained thanks to a study or research method
whose subject-matters are specific cases, i.e. a portrayal which avoids nomothetic
generalizations.
In the field of psychiatry, psychology and clinical psychopathology
, idiographic criterion is a method (also called historical method
) which involves evaluating past experiences and selecting and comparing information about a specific individual or event. An example of idiographic image is a report
, diagram or health history showing medical, psychological and pathological features which make the subject under examination unique.
"Where there is no prior detailed presentation of clinical data, the summary should present sufficient relevant information to support the diagnostic and aetiological components of the formulation.
The term diagnostic formulation is preferable to diagnosis, because it emphasises that matters of clinical concern about which the clinician proposes aetiological hypotheses and targets of intervention include much more than just diagnostic category assignment, though this is usually an important component".
The expression idiographic image appeared for the first time in 1996 in the SESAMO
research method Manual.
This term was coined to mean that the report
of the test provided an anamnestic report containing a family, relational and health history of the subject and providing semiological
data regarding both the psychosexual and the social-affective profile. These profiles were useful to the clinician in order to formulate pathogenetic
and pathognomonic
hypotheses.
Clinical psychology
Clinical psychology is an integration of science, theory and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development...
sciences
Human Science
Human science refers to the investigation of human life and activities via a phenomenological methodology that acknowledges the validity of both sensory and psychological experience...
, an idiographic image (from Greek ιδιος-γραφιχος: ídios + graphikós, meaning "to describe a peculiarity") is the representation of a result which has been obtained thanks to a study or research method
Scientific method
Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of...
whose subject-matters are specific cases, i.e. a portrayal which avoids nomothetic
Nomothetic
Nomothetic literally means "proposition of the law" and is used in philosophy , psychology, and law with differing meanings...
generalizations.
- "Diagnostic formulation follows an idiographic criterion, while
diagnostic classification follows a nomothetic criterion".
In the field of psychiatry, psychology and clinical psychopathology
Psychopathology
Psychopathology is the study of mental illness, mental distress, and abnormal/maladaptive behavior. The term is most commonly used within psychiatry where pathology refers to disease processes...
, idiographic criterion is a method (also called historical method
Historical method
Historical method comprises the techniques and guidelines by which historians use primary sources and other evidence to research and then to write histories in the form of accounts of the past. The question of the nature, and even the possibility, of a sound historical method is raised in the...
) which involves evaluating past experiences and selecting and comparing information about a specific individual or event. An example of idiographic image is a report
Case Report Form
A Case Report Form is a paper or electronic questionnaire specifically used in clinical trial research. The Case Report Form is the tool used by the sponsor of the clinical trial to collect data from each participating site...
, diagram or health history showing medical, psychological and pathological features which make the subject under examination unique.
"Where there is no prior detailed presentation of clinical data, the summary should present sufficient relevant information to support the diagnostic and aetiological components of the formulation.
The term diagnostic formulation is preferable to diagnosis, because it emphasises that matters of clinical concern about which the clinician proposes aetiological hypotheses and targets of intervention include much more than just diagnostic category assignment, though this is usually an important component".
The expression idiographic image appeared for the first time in 1996 in the SESAMO
SESAMO
SESAMO is the acronym of Sexrelation Evaluation Schedule Assessment Monitoring, is an Italian psychometric and psychological standardised and validated questionnaire SESAMO is the acronym of Sexrelation Evaluation Schedule Assessment Monitoring, is an Italian psychometric and psychological...
research method Manual.
This term was coined to mean that the report
Case Report Form
A Case Report Form is a paper or electronic questionnaire specifically used in clinical trial research. The Case Report Form is the tool used by the sponsor of the clinical trial to collect data from each participating site...
of the test provided an anamnestic report containing a family, relational and health history of the subject and providing semiological
Semiotics
Semiotics, also called semiotic studies or semiology, is the study of signs and sign processes , indication, designation, likeness, analogy, metaphor, symbolism, signification, and communication...
data regarding both the psychosexual and the social-affective profile. These profiles were useful to the clinician in order to formulate pathogenetic
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of a disease is the mechanism by which the disease is caused. The term can also be used to describe the origin and development of the disease and whether it is acute, chronic or recurrent...
and pathognomonic
Pathognomonic
Pathognomonic is a term, often used in medicine, that means characteristic for a particular disease. A pathognomonic sign is a particular sign whose presence means that a particular disease is present beyond any doubt...
hypotheses.