Psychology : Individual differences

            Individual differences

All the living organism differ in size, shape, appearance, speed of reaction and innumerable other aspects of behaviour.

We can see that some are healthy and jolly while others are weak and irreparable. Some learn quickly and others slowly. In this way exists there differences.

            These differences between individuals that distinguish or separate them from one another and make one as unique individual in oneself are named as individual differences in psychology.

            Individuals differ in height, weight, colour, structure physically and people differ in intellectual abilities like reasoning and thinking power, power of imagination ,creative, expression, concentration etc .

Classifications

On the basis , they are usually classified as

            Idiot

            Imbecile

            Moron

            Border like normal bright very superior as genius.

There exist wide differences in motor capacities such as reaction time, speed of action, steadiness, rate of muscular movement , manual dexterity and resistance to fatigue etc. Differences exist

            in achievement and

            in knowledge.

Factors causing individual differences:

Heredity and environment are not two independent factors. They operate conjointly to contribute their share but they interact and are inextricably involved in their effect, making each person unique.

The complexity of the environmental influences, prenatal, postnatal, material and social cultural are some of the factors causing individual differences.

Bio chemical differences between male and female and sex role expectations incorporated into self-concept very early in life are some of the factors.

Girls display greater social and emotional maturity at each age and boys show greater vitality, independence and initiative.

Maintenance of cumulative records for each pupil helps in understanding the specific abilities, needs and interests of each pupil as well as his past history.

The fact of individual differences implies that teachers have to meet wide variety of pupil' s needs such as needs of

                  exceptional children

                  gifted children

                  slow learners or backward children,

                  children with sensory and motor defects,

                  clumsy children etc.

Teachers also face antisocial behaviour of some children in their class. Common behaviour problems are bullying, lying, stealing, destruction of common property and adolescent sexual misbehaviour. Suitable reinforcement of acceptable conduct will generally eliminate such problem behaviours.