Aliyyah M.

Tomawis
February 1, 2024
EDU200 S123
Dr. Ronaldo R. Orbita

PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION OF EDUCATION

Individual differences

Introduction

The individual differences are a cornerstone effective area in modern psychology, it is referred

for the psychology of the person that the difference between the individual and their similarities.

The psychology of individual differences is concerned with the systematic study of intelligence

and abilities associated with personality of learner, learning styles and needs and interests of

learner. Everybody is not just like everybody else. Every individual is a typical human being in

himself. Being alike in some respects we are different in so many other respects. These

differences that distinguish one from another and make one as a unique individual are named as

"individual differences" in the terminology of psychology.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES

Human beings are found to differ from each other and among themselves in varieties of ways

and dimensions some of the important varieties of these individual differences are:

1. Physical differences: Individual different in height weight, colour of skin and eyes,

colour and texture of hair size of hands, arms and head, structure and functioning of

internal organs, facial expressions, mannerisms of speech, walk, hair styles and other
 such native or acquired physical characteristics.

2. Mental differences: People differ in their intellectual abilities and capacities like

thinking and reasoning power of imagination creative expression, concentration etc. In

the field of general intelligence also we find tremendous differences between individuals.

3. Differences in motor ability: There are differences in motor ability. These differences

are visible at different ages. Some people can perform mechanical suing tasks easily,

while others, even though they are at the same level, feel much difficulty in performing

these tasks.

4. Differences in achievement: It has been found through achievement tests that

individuals differ in their achievement abilities. These difference are very much visible in

reading, writing and in learning mathematics.

5. Emotional differences: In some individuals positive emotions like love affection etc are

more prevalent whereas in others negative emotions like anger Disgust etc are more

powerful. Individuals also differ in the manner they express their emotions. Some are

emotionally stable and nature while others are emotionally unstable and immature.

6. Differences in interest and aptitude: There exists great variations among the

individuals in relation to the specific tastes and interest Some take interest in the meeting

people attending social functions and are very fond picnics and group excursions others

feel happy in solitude avoid social gatherings and are interested in mediation or enjoy the

company of books. In a similar way people are found to have different aptitudes Some

have mechanical aptitude while others have scholastic musical or artistic aptitudes.

7. Differences in attitudes belief and opinions: There will be difference in attitudes may

be positive, negative or of different nature toward people objects or ideas. Some believe
 in one thing others does not. Some are conservative thing others does not. Some are

conservative and rigid while others are progressive, liberal and dynamic.

8. Learning differences: individual differences are found in the field of learning also.

Pupils differ in their rate of learning styles of learning motivation and persistence in

Learning.

9. Differences in social and moral development: Some are found to be adjusted properly

in the social situations and lead a happy social life while others are socially handicapped

unsocial or anti-social. Similarly, people are found to differ in respect of ethical or moral

sense. Thus, we can conclude that the personality of an individual is unique. In all the

dimension and aspects of behaviour and personality traits individuals differ from each

other.

Factors Causing Individual Differences

Individual differences occur due to interaction of genetic and environmental factors. The main

cause of individual difference are Hereditary and environment.

1. Heredity some heretical traits bring a change from one individual to other. An

individual's height, size, shape and colour of hair, shape of face, nose, hands and legs so

to say the entire structure of the body is determined by his heretical qualities.

2. Environment brings individual differences in behaviour, activities, attitude, and style of

life characteristics. Personality etc. Environment does not refer only physical

surroundings but also it refers the different types of people, society, their culture,

customs, traditions, social heritage, ideas and ideals.

○ Aims of education, curriculum, method of teaching should be linked with individual

differences considering the different abilities and traits individual.

○ Curriculum should be designed as per the interest, abilities and needs of different

students.

○ The teacher has to adopt different types of methods of teaching considering individual

difference related to interest, need, etc.

○ Some co-curricular activities such as Drama, music, literary activities (Essay & Debate

Competition) should be assigned to children according to their interest.

○ Teacher uses certain specific teaching aids which will attract the children towards

teaching considering their interest and need.

○ Various methods such as playing method, project method, Montessori method, story

telling methods are to be used considering/discovering how different children respond to

a task or a problem.

○ The division of pupils into classes should not be based only on the mental age or

chronological age of children but the physical, social and emotional maturity should be

given due consideration.