One of the important objectives of today’s education is the overall development of a child. Every individual has different interests, goals, problems and abilities. We cannot ignore the differences in imparting education so in this article, we are going to discuss the individual differences: its meaning, causes and types. After reading this article you’ll be able to answer What are individual differences? What are its types and causes?
MEANING
The term individual differences is qualitative and quantitative in nature where heredity and environment are quantifying variables by which quantitative differences are measured whereas the qualitative individual differences are evaluated by observing attributes or traits.
Individual differences also refers to differential acquisition rates. There are differences in retention, transfer of learning, problem solving, mediation, learning styles and it also includes all other traits of personality which can be measured or evaluated.
DEFINITIONS
“Measurable individual differences have been shown to exist in physical size and shape , physiological functions , motor capacities ,intelligence, achievement and knowledge , interests, attitudes and personality traits”.
Tylor
“Every aspect of the personality which can be measured is a part of individual differences”.
B. F. Skinner
“Variation to deviation from average of the group union respect to mental and physical characteristic occurring in individual member of the group”.
James Drever
CHARACTERISTICS
- Individual difference is the universal phenomenon of social sciences as well as physical and bio sciences.
- It is both quantitative and qualitative.
- Differences among the individuals can be measured with the help of motor capacities , physical and physiological functions.
- It can be seen in intelligence, achievement, interests, attitudes, values, adjustment and personality traits.
- Differences also exists in sex, age, race, social status of a person.
RANGE OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
It is difficult to tell about the range of individual differences as they are both qualitative and quantitative in nature but variables can be measured to identify the these differences and their extent of difference.
Psycho matricide assume that each trait is normally distributed whether it is physical, educational, social or psychological. The extreme upper limits of a trait is not definite therefore a normal curve is asymptotic curve.
The above normal curves shows the range of I.Q. distribution. the upper and lower limit of I.Q. is not definite so the ends of the curve never meet the X axes. Similarly the upper limit of height is not definite in nature so we can say that Range of individual differences with regard to any trait is a variable is difficult to measure.
CAUSES OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Major determinants of differences are Heredity and Environment.
HEREDITY
It consists of specific genes which is inherited from parents , genes are present on chromosomes. Individual’s future nature, growth, temperament, personality and intelligence are based on the genes. The types of genes he receives from his parents determines the extent of similarities and differences on various traits of the individual.
ENVIRONMENT
It consists of sum total of the stimulations that a person receives from his parents and surroundings which influences his achievement, attitude, interests, values and personality. The interaction between the heredity and environment plays a significant role in determining differences between or among different persons with regard to certain traits.
CONCLUSION
Understanding Individual differences is necessary to cater the needs of different learners, it is very important to how heredity and environment plays their role in shaping a child’s future. Differences are not only limited to differences between two person but intra individual differences are also there to play a important role to build an individual’s personality and to know about self.
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