Individual differences (educational psychology)

Individual Differences

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Educational Psychology arranged by Miss Hina Jalal
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCE
It is a familiar fact that members of the same species resemble each other in so many aspects. That is why
when observed causally or superficially all ants, or rats, hens or cows look alike to us. We also as human
beings have so many common characteristics and are alsike in so many respects. The common prosperities
and characteristics distinguish and separate living species from one another.
But by careful examination one can understand that no two members of the same species are exactly alike in
all aspects. All living organisms whether human beings or others differ in size shape appearance speed of
reaction and in numerable other aspects of behaviour. We can see that some individuals are healthy and joy
our while some other are ill and irritable. Some learn everything very quickly and others slowly. In this way
there exist differences in individuals.
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.
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.
Two different explanations given for the term individual differences in the “Dictionary of Education” by Carter
B Good are:
• Individual differences stand for Variations or deviations among individuals about single characteristics
or several characteristics
• Individual difference stands for those differences which in their totality distinguish one individual from
another.
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.

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Educational Psychology arranged by Miss Hina Jalal
Based on intelligence people are classified as idiot, imbecile, Moran, borderline, normal, bright, very superior
and genius.
3. Differences in motor ability: such as reaction time speed of action, steadiness manual and finger dexterity,
resistance to fatigue etc.
4. Differences in achievement: Differences exist in achievement and in knowledge and in knowledge even
among individuals who had almost the same amount of intelligence and had been subjected to equal around
of schooling and experiences.
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: Individuals are found to possess varying attitudes towards
different people groups objects and ideas Their attitude may be positive negative or neutral in nature
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 situa-
tions 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
1. Differences among individuals can be attributed to variations in hereditary endowment or environmental
stimulation or both It can be observed that people belong to different hereditary stock and hence differ in their
native endowments and characteristics.
2. Similarly environment influences and simulations experienced by the individuals' right from their concep-
tions in the womb of their mother’s cause differences among individuals.
3. Maturation learning, and training are also responsible for the occurrence of individual differences among
human beings

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Educational Psychology arranged by Miss Hina Jalal
4. Differential amount of secretion of hormones by ductless glands in different individuals result in the differ-
ences in individuals functioning.
Significance of Individual Differences to a Classroom Teacher
The notion that individuals differ in their various abilities capacities and other personality characteristics
should help the practicing teachers realize the following:
1. In any group there are individuals who deviate from the norms of the groups,
2. Every teacher should know the abilities potentials, interests, attitudes and other personality characteristics
of each student and try to render individual guidance to children for the maximum development of their po-
tentialities
Tackling the problem of individual differences in the classroom
Crow and Crow write since we supposedly are teaching individuals not group of individuals it is the function
of the school within its budgetary personal and curriculum limitations to provide adequate schooling for every
learner no matter how much he differs from every other learner. The following suggestions can prove helpful
for the teacher in this direction.
1. Proper knowledge of the individuals' potentialities: The first in catering to individual difference is to
know the potential of everyone’s child through intelligence tests cumulative records interests’ inventories,
attitude tests and tests of personality traits.
2. Ability Grouping: In the light of the results derived from the various tests students of a class can be divided
into homogeneous groups according to their abilities. Such division can prove beneficial in adjusting instruc-
tion to vary individual differences.
3. Adjusting the curriculum: To meet the requirement of varying individual differences among the pupils
the curriculum should be as flexible and differentiated as possible. It should have the provision for a few
diversified courses and curricular experiences so that pupils may get opportunity to study and work in the
areas of their own interests and abilities.
4. Adjusting the methods of teaching: The teacher should try to follow a different procedure or method of
instruction suiting the requirements of varying ability groups of his pupils.
5. Adopting special programmes or methods for individualizing instruction: Special programmes like
Dalton plan, the Winnetha plan the project method or use of programmed learning material could be made to
enable students to learn at their own
individual rate.
Care of Exceptional Children
The fact of individual differences implies that teachers must cater to a wide variety of pupils during their
professional work. Hence it is essential to know about the nature and needs of such exceptional children who
in some dimension or other deviate significantly from normal and average pupils. According to Samuel A.

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Educational Psychology arranged by Miss Hina Jalal
Kirk an exceptional child is one who deviates from the average or normal child in mental physical or social
characteristics to such an extent that he requires a modification of school
practices or special education services in order to develop to his maximum capacity. Exceptional children are
classified as under:
Intellectually exceptional:
a. The gifted and creative
b. the slow learner and
c. the mentally retarded.
Physically Exceptional:
a. Impaired vision
b. Impaired hearing
c. Impaired speech,
d. Crippled and
e. Brain injured.
Emotionally and socially exceptional: Delinquents