individual differences approach lecture

7/27/2019 Individual Differences Approach Lecture

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THE INDIVIDUAL

DIFFERENCES

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We are not all the same..

n Lots of research looksat the typical or

average personn But what about unusual

people?

n Psychologists ofindividual differencesstudy what makespeople DIFFERENT

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What makes us unique?

n PERSONAL QUALITIES

n Personality

n Intelligencen Moral values

n Mental health

n GROUP IDENTITIESn Race

n Culture

n Gender 3


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Meaning of individual difference

n According to the dictionary of education: Individual

differences stand for the variation or deviations

among individuals in regard to a single characteristic

or number of characteristics.

n It stand for those differences which in their totality

distinguish one individual from another.

n So we can say that individual differences is the

differences among humans that distinguish orseparate them from one another and makes one as a

single unique individual.

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Individual difference

n Individual differences

are the variations from

one person to another

on variables suchas self esteem, rate

of cognitive

development or degree

of agreeableness.

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Individual difference

n Individual differences are the

differences in personality, attitudes,

physiology, learning or perceptualprocesses, etc., that account for

variation in performance or behavior.

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TYPES OF INDIVIDUAL

DIFFERENCES

n Following are the types of individual differences

n Differences in Interest

Interest may refer as a motivating force that impels us to attend

to a person, a thing, or an activity. So in educational field

differences in interest means you observe some students like a

particular subject, teacher, hobby or profession than other.

n Difference in Attitude

Difference in attitude is psyche related to some thing. Few

learners have positive attitude towards a specific topic, subject,

and profession than other. The role of education in society is to

develop positive attitude.

n Difference in Values Values are the things that are given importance by an individual.

Some learners value materialist life style other moral or religious

life style etc. So education must mould the mind of young

generation to have a balance values between materialism and

spiritualism.7


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n Study Habits

It is clearly observable that some students markedly differ from

other students in study habits. Some students are studious and

study all the subjects with interest but other may not. Some study in

isolation and some in group.

n Difference in Psychomotor Skills

This is a type of individual differences Psychomotor Skill is related

to some skill acquisition. Some students differ in this area also.

Some students like football, other cricket, etc. Some students easily

learn operating a machine and some may not. A wise teachershould diagnose students psychomotor skills abilities and

encourage them in that direction.

n Difference in Self Concept

Difference in self concept is the totality of attitudes, judgment, and

values of an individual relating to his behavior, abilities, andqualities. So some students have positive self concept than boost

their confidence level and perform better against those who have

negative self image.

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CAUSES OF INDIVIDUAL

DIFFERENCES

n The followings are the main causes of individual differences:

n 1. Hereditary (Nature)

n Individuals have various endowments, abilities, and capacities

provided by hereditary. Hereditary also put limits upon

individuals growth and development in various dimensions.

Hereditary also contributes to sex, intelligence, and other

specific abilities.

n 2. Environment (Nurture)

n Environment also plays key role in individual differences.

Individual differences occur on the basis of simulation received

by individual from his or her internal and external environment.

This may include family set up, peer group, economic status,

education etc.

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Why Individual Differences

Are Important?

n Individual differences have a direct effect on

behavior

n People who perceive things differently behave

differently

n People with different attitudes respond differently to

directives

n People with different personalities interact differently

with others.

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Dimensions of individual

differencen Self concept

n Intelligence

n Personality

n Abilities

n

Personal values and ethics

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Self Concept

n The term self-concept is a general term

used to refer to how someone thinks

about or perceives themselves.n The self concept is how we think about

and evaluate ourselves. To be aware of

oneself is to have a concept of oneself.

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Definition

n Baumeister (1999) provides the

following self conceptdefinition: "the

individual's belief about himself orherself, including the person's attributes

and who and what the self is".

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Lewis (1990) suggests that development of a

concept of self has two aspects: -

(1) The Existential Self

This is the most basic part of the self-scheme or self-

concept; the sense of being separate and distinct

from others and the awareness of the constancy of

the self(Bee 1992).

The child realizes that they exist as a separate entity

from others and that they continue to exist over time

and space

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(2) The Categorical Self

Having realized that he or she exists as a separate

experiencing being, the child next becomes aware

that he or she is also an object in the world.

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Carl Rogers(1959) believes that the self

concept has three different components:

The view you have of yourself (Self image)

How much value you place on yourself

(Self esteem or self-worth)

What you wish you were really like (Idealself)

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INTELLIGENCE

Dictionary definition

The ability to use memory, knowledge, experience,

understanding, reasoning, imagination and

judgement in order to solve problems and adapt to

new situations. AllWords Dictionary, 2006

The ability to learn, understand and make judgments

or have opinions that are based on reason

Cambridge Advance Learners Dictionary, 2006

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n Psychologist definitions

n Intelligence is not a single, unitary ability, but

rather a composite of several functions. Theterm denotes that combination of abilities

required for survival and advancement within

a particular culture. A. Anastasi

n An intelligence is the ability to solve

problems, or to create products,that are

valued within one or more cultural settings.

H. Gardner [ 18


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n The ability to carry on abstract thinking. L.

M. Terman

n A global concept that involves an individuals

ability to act purposefully, think rationally, and

deal effectively with the environment. D.

Wechsler

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Is a single definition possible?

If we scan through the definitions pulling out

commonly occurring features we find that intelligence

is:

A property that an individual agent has as itinteracts with its environment or environments.

Is related to the agents ability to succeed or profit

with respect to some goal or objective.

Depends on how able to agent is to adapt todifferent objectives and environments.

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Personality

The term personality is derived from the

Latin word persona meaning a mask.

Personality is a patterned body ofhabits, traits, attitudes and ideas of an

individual as these are organized

externally into roles and statuses and asthey relate internally to motivation, goals

and various aspects of selfhood.

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Definition

According to Robert Park and Earnest

Burgess Personality is the sum and

organization of those traits which determinethe role of the individual in the group.

Personality is the dynamic organization

within the individual of those psychophysicalsystems that determine his unique

adjustments to the environment. (1937)

Allport22


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Summarization of definitions

In brief it can be said:

Personality is not related to bodily structure alone. It

includes both structure and dynamics.

Personality is an indivisible unit.

Personality is neither good nor bad.

Every personality is unique

Personality refers to persistent qualities of theindividual. It expresses consistency and regularity.

Personality is acquired.

Personality is influenced by social interaction. It is

defined in terms of behavior. 23


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ABILITIES

n Abilities = stable and enduring

"hardware" which enable people to be

successful at some skills andunsuccessful at others :visual acuity,

body configuration, IQ (verbal vs.

numeric),reaction, speed, manualdexterity, kinesthetic, sensitivity.

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Abilities Versus Skills Abilities are not skills

Abilities are genetically determined, unmodified bypractice, few in number, underlie skill

Skills developed by practice, modified by practice,

many in number, depend on abilities

abilities plus practice > abilities orpractice

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Definition

Ability is a persons existing capacity to perform the

various mental or physical tasks needed for a given

job. It includes relevant knowledge and skills.

Intellectual Ability is the capacity to do mentalactivities. Intelligence contains four subparts:

cognitive, social, emotional, and cultural. Groups of

Mental abilities (L.L.Thurston)

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Factors Verbal factor (V)-Comprehension of verbal relations,

words and ideas.

Spatial factor (S)-Involved in any task in which the

subject manipulates an object imaginatively in space.

Numerical factor (N)-Ability to do numericalcalculations rapidly and accurately.

Memory factor (M)-Involves the ability to memorize

quickly.

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Word fluency factor (W)-Involved whenever the

subject is asked to think of isolated words at a rapid

rate.

Inductive reasoning factor (RI)-The ability to draw

inferences or conclusions on the basis of specific

instances.

Deductive reasoning factor (RD)- is the ability to

make use of generalized results.

Perceptual factor (P)- is the ability to perceive objects

accurately.

Problem solving ability factor (PS)- is the ability to

solve problem with independent efforts.28


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Physical Abilities- The capacity to do tasks demanding

stamina, dexterity, strength, and similar characteristics.

Nine Physical Abilities are: Strength factor

Dynamic- Ability to exert muscle force repeatedly over time.

Trunk- Ability to exert muscular strength using the trunk muscles.

Static-Ability to exert force against external objects.

Flexibility factor

External-Ability to move the trunk and back muscles as far aspossible.

Dynamic-Ability to make rapid, repeated flexing movements.

Body coordination-Ability to coordinate the simultaneous actions

of different parts of the body.

Balance-Ability to maintain equilibrium despite forces pulling offbalance.

Stamina- Ability to continue maximum effort requiring prolonged

efforts over time.

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Definition of Ethics

Ethics: Deciding what is right (or what is more

right) in a particular situation: determining what

ought to be; deciding what is consistent with

ones personal or organizational value system.

Some definitions would include:

Deciding what is right or wrong, good or bad, just or unjust

Making decisions which are consistent with ones value system

and the value system of the organization.

When encountering the many grey areas in which it is difficult

to distinguish right from wrong, there is always an answer that is

more right than the others. This is an ethical answer.

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n The Five Ps of Ethical Power

n 1. Purpose: Your objective or intention; a goal.

n 2. Pride: The sense of satisfaction you receive from

your accomplishments, and those individuals ofwhom you care.

n 3. Patience: Trust the process!

n 4. Persistence: Maintaining your commitment and

making your actions consistent with your guidingprinciples.

n 5. Perspective: The capacity to see what is REALLY

important in any situation.

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n What is an Ethical Decision

n One that is related to a specific content; in the same situation, there

may be business ethics, educational ethics and personal ethics (one

or more of these may be in conflict)n One that is best for the organization rather than for the leaders; one

that is not self-serving.

n One that is made in the clear and is consistent with full disclosure.

n One that is honest and based on facts and is consistent with the

spirit of rightness and fair play.n One that is consistent with the values and principles for which the

organization and institution stand.

n One that can be defended and supported by ones peers and

superiors.

n One that is made in good faith.

n One that you could tell your others you honestly feel good about

making.

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VALUES

n Values are the principles & priorities which help us

make decisions on a daily basis.

If you truly value honesty, you will choose to be honest in

interactions. If you value family strongly, you will make timein your life for family. If growth is a top value for you, you will

make decisions which encourage personal development.

n Values are constantly changing & developing

throughout our lives

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Personal Values

n Personal values are the beliefs, principles or ideas

that are important to you in your life.

n Personal values are important because they provide us

with a road map for the kind of life we aspire to

lead. The more our choices line up with our values, the

better we generally feel about ourselves.

Our personal values should play an important role in relationship

decisions and actions. They may guide your decisions about...

...the type of partner you want.

...or the types of behaviors you're comfortable with in a

relationship.

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http://www.wire.wisc.edu/YourSelf/selfreflectknowyourself/Your_Self_Worth.aspxhttp://www.wire.wisc.edu/YourSelf/selfreflectknowyourself/Your_Self_Worth.aspx


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Personal Values

n Personal values are those standards that you

set for yourself to live by. Since these values

vary by individual, they are "personal" andcan include many things. Religion, morals,

and ethics play a part in personal values.

n All personal values are tools to make the

individual feel good about his conduct. Thereis a fine line between ethics and values.

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Values are very much personal while ethics is very much

societal

Ethics is guidelines or rules that are set for a society or an

organization rather than for an individual.

Values are guiding principles in life and every person has his

own value system which helps him in his behavior and action

throughout his life. On the other hand, ethics are moral codes of

conduct that decide what is wrong and what is right about the

behavior of an individual or a group in a society.

Values can be universal as well as personal and are actually

beliefs a person has that help him behave in a particular manner

all his life.

Ethics are unwritten code of conduct that are to be followed by

an individual or employees in an organization.36

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