Individual

Differences in
Organizations
DR. MELECIO A. SY, JR., LSSGB,
FRIBM, FRISCM
SUB-TOPICS SUMMARY
• Individual Differences
• Types of Individual Differences
• Causes of Individual Differences
• Role of Individual Differences in
Business Organizations
SUB-TOPIC 1:
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Definitions of Individual
Differences
1. Drever James

“Variations or deviations from the average of the

group, with respect to the mental or physical
characters, occurring in the individual member of
the group are individual differences.”
Definitions of Individual
Differences
2. Skinner, C.E.

“Today we think of individual differences as

including any measurable aspect of the total
personality.”
Definitions of Individual
Differences
3. Woodworth, R.S. and Marquis, D.G
“Individual differences are found in all
psychological characteristics physical mental
abilities, knowledge, habit, personality and
character traits.”
Meaning of Individual
Differences
SUB-TOPIC 2:
TYPES OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Types of Individual
Differences
1. Physical differences
Shortness or tallness of stature, darkness or
fairness of complexion, fatness, thinness, or
weakness are various physical individual
differences.
Types of Individual
Differences
2. Differences in intelligence
There are differences in intelligence level among
different individuals. We can classify the individuals
from super-normal (above 120 I.Q.) to idiots (from
0 to 50 I.Q.) on the basis of their intelligence level.
Types of Individual
Differences
3. Differences in attitudes
Individuals differ in their attitudes towards different
people, objects, institutions and authority.
Types of Individual
Differences
4. Differences in achievement
It has been found through achievement tests that
individuals differ in their achievement abilities.
These differences are very much visible in reading,
writing and in learning mathematics.
Types of Individual
Differences
5. Differences in motor ability
There are differences in motor ability. These
differences are visible at different ages. Some
people can perform mechanical tasks easily, while
others, even though they are at the same level, feel
much difficulty in performing these tasks.
Types of Individual
Differences
6. Differences on account of sex
McNemar and Terman discovered the following
differences between men and women, on the basis
of some studies:
(i) Women have greater skill in memory while men
have greater motor ability.
(ii) The handwriting of women is superior while
men excel in mathematics and logic.
Types of Individual
Differences
6. Differences on account of sex
(iii) Women show greater skill in making sensory
distinctions of taste, touch and smell etc., while
men show greater reaction and conscious of size-
weight illusion.
(iv) Women are superior to men in languages, while
men are superior in physics and chemistry.
Types of Individual
Differences
6. Differences on account of sex
(v) Women are better than men in mirror drawing.
Faults of speech etc. in men were found to be three
times of such faults in women.
(vi) Women are more susceptible to suggestion
while there are three times as many colour blind
men as there are women.
Types of Individual
Differences
7. Racial differences
There are different kinds of racial differences.
Differences of environment is a normal factor in
causing these differences.
Types of Individual
Differences
8. Differences due to economic status
Differences in children’s interests, tendencies and
character are caused by economic differences.

9. Differences in interests
Factors such as sex, family background level of
development, differences of race and nationality
etc., cause differences in interests.
Types of Individual
Differences
10. Emotional differences
Individuals differ in their emotional reactions to a
particular situation. Some are irritable and
aggressive and they get angry very soon. There are
others who are of peaceful nature and do not get
angry easily. At a particular thing an individual may
be so much enraged that he may be prepared for
the worst crime like murder, while another person
may only laugh at it.
Types of Individual
Differences
11. Personality differences:
There are differences in respect of personality.
Individuals have been classified into many groups
based on personality differences. Spranger, for
example, has classified personalities into six types:
(a) Theoretical,
(b) Economic
(c) Aesthetic,
(d) Social,
(e) Political, and
(f) Religious.
Types of Individual
Differences
11. Personality differences:
Jung classified people into three groups:
(a) Introverts,
(b) Extroverts, and
(c) Ambiverts.
Types of Individual
Differences
12. Differences due to nationality
Individuals of different nations differ in respect of
physical and mental differences, interests and
personalities etc. ‘Russians are tall and stout’;
‘Ceylonese are short and slim’; ‘Germans have no
sense of humor’; ‘Yellow races are cruel and
revengeful’; ‘Americans are hearty and frank’;
Indians are timid and peace-loving’ and the like
observations enter into our common talk.
SUB-TOPIC 3:
CAUSES OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Causes of Individual Differences
1. Heredity
Some heretical traits bring a change from one
individual to other. An individual’s height, size,
shape and color of hair, shape of face, nose, hands
and legs so to say the entire structure of the body
is determined by his heretical qualities. Intellectual
differences are also to a great extent influenced by
hereditary factor.
Causes of Individual Differences
2. Environment
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.
Causes of Individual Differences
3. Race and Nationality
Race and Nationality is one cause of individual
differences. Indians are very peace-loving, Yellow
race are cruel; Americans are very frank due to race
and nationality.
Causes of Individual Differences
4. Sex
Due to sex variation one individual differs from
other. Men are strong in mental power. On the
other hand women on the average show small
superiority over men in memory, language and
aesthetic sense. Women excel the men in
shouldering social responsibilities and have a better
control over their emotions.
Causes of Individual Differences
5. Age
Age is another factor which is responsible in
bringing individual differences. Learning ability and
adjustment capacity naturally grow with age. When
one grows in age can acquire better control over
our emotions and better social responsibilities.
When a child grows then this maturity and
development goes side by side.
Causes of Individual Differences
6. Education
Education is one major factor which brings
individual differences. There is a wide gap in the
behaviors of educated and uneducated persons. All
traits of human beings like social, emotional and
intellectual are controlled and modifies through
proper education.
SUB-TOPIC 4:
ROLE OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
IN ORGANIZATIONS
Role of Individual
Differences in Business
Organizations
Individual differences play a crucial role in business
organizations, influencing everything from team
dynamics to leadership styles and overall
organizational culture. Here are some key aspects of
how these differences impact businesses:
Role of Individual
Differences in Business
Organizations
1. Diversity of Skills and Perspectives
A diverse workforce brings varied experiences and
viewpoints, fostering creativity and innovation.
Different perspectives can lead to more effective
solutions.
Individuals have unique skills and expertise, allowing
organizations to leverage a broad range of talents for
various tasks and projects.
Role of Individual
Differences in Business
Organizations
2. Team Dynamics
Teams made up of individuals with different
strengths can work more effectively. For instance,
combining analytical thinkers with creative
visionaries can lead to balanced outcomes.
Understanding individual differences helps in
managing conflicts more effectively. Knowing
personality types can guide how to resolve
disagreements constructively.
Role of Individual
Differences in Business
Organizations
3. Leadership Styles
Different individuals respond to different leadership
styles. Effective leaders adapt their approach based
on the personalities and motivations of their team
members.
Individual differences influence what motivates
people. Understanding these differences can help
leaders create strategies that engage and inspire
their teams.
Role of Individual
Differences in Business
Organizations
4. Communication Styles
Individuals have varied communication preferences
(e.g., direct vs. indirect, formal vs. informal).
Recognizing these differences can enhance
collaboration and reduce misunderstanding.
Different people appreciate feedback in different
ways. Tailoring recognition and performance
feedback can boost employee satisfaction and
productivity.
Role of Individual
Differences in Business
Organizations
5. Job Satisfaction and Retention
Matching employees to roles that align with their
strengths and interests can lead to higher job
satisfaction and lower turnover rates.
Some individuals thrive in collaborative settings,
while others prefer independent work.
Acknowledging these preferences can enhance
employee engagement.
Role of Individual
Differences in Business
Organizations
6. Adaptability and Change Management
Individuals react differently to change. Some may
embrace new initiatives enthusiastically, while others
might resist. Understanding these differences can
help organizations manage transitions more
smoothly.
Employees have various learning preferences (e.g.,
visual, auditory, kinesthetic). Tailoring training
programs to accommodate these differences can
improve learning outcomes.
Role of Individual
Differences in Business
Organizations
7. Cultural Awareness
In multinational organizations, individual differences
are often influenced by cultural backgrounds.
Awareness of cultural nuances can improve
collaboration and reduce conflicts.
Embracing individual differences fosters an inclusive
culture that values diversity, leading to better
employee morale and performance.