Which of the following best illustrates the idiographic approach to personality research?
A) identifying personality characteristics which are shared by large groups of people
B) designing tests which characterize abnormal personality types
C) performing a detailed study of the world's most successful business person
D) using factor analysis to identify personality traits
Answer: C
Rationale: Some psychologists study personality by using an idiographic approach, meaning that they focus on creating detailed descriptions of individuals and their unique personality characteristics. In contrast, the nomothetic approach is used to examine personality in large groups of people, with the aim of making generalizations about personality structure.
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