Slide share has highlighted concept of individual differences, causes of individual differences, inter and intra individual differences, educational implications of individual differences

1. Dr. Harpal Kaur Aujla(Associate Professor)
Akal College of Education Mastuana Sahib (Sangrur) Punjab

3. Individual differences are the kind of variations
that exist among the individuals in various forms
like psychological, physical, and behavioral
characteristics, personal characteristics, cognitive
and emotional components.
For example, one individual may be
extrovert, creative and may have logical
thinking abilities.
On the other hand, one individual may be
introvert and may have analytical thinking.

4. Dissimilarity is principle of nature. No two individuals are
exactly alike. They have unique personalities,
temperaments, motivations, skills, and preferences. So
all human beings behave, think, feel, and perform in
their own ways. Children born of the same parents and
even the-twins are not alike. This differential psychology
is linked with the study of individual differences.
Wundt, Cattel, Kraepelin, Jastrow and Ebbing Haus are
the exponents of differential psychology.

5. 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.”
Good. C. V.
“The variation or deviations among individual is regard to a single
characteristics or a number of characteristics, those differences
which in their totality distinguish one individual from another.”

6. TYPES OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES:
1. Physical differences:
Physical individual differences can be seen in height, weight size of the body, structure of different parts of the
body, color of hair, skin, physical strength and precision.
2. Differences in intelligence:
There are differences in intelligence level among different individuals. We can classify the individuals as genius,
gifted, superior, bright, averages, imbeciles and idiots on the basis of their intelligence levels.
3. Differences in attitudes:
Different persons have different attitudes towards casteism, religion, regionalism, linguism, political parties and
administration.
4. Differences in achievement:
It has been found through achievement tests that individuals differ in their achievement abilities. These differences
in achievement are even visible among the children who are at the same level of intelligence.
5. Differences in motor ability:
People vary greatly in their motor performance. Upon initial presentation of a motor task, some will exhibit high
motor performance from the first attempt, while others might struggle and get better only through extensive
practice.

7. 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) Handwriting of women is superior while men excel in mathematics and logic.
(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.
(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.
(vii) Young girls take interest in stories of love, fairy tales, stories of the school and
home and day-dreaming and show various levels in their play. On the other hand boys
take interest in stories of bravery, science, war, scouting, stories of games and sports,
stories and games of occupation and skill.

8. 7. Racial differences:
There are different kinds of racial differences. Differences of environment is a normal
factor in causing these differences. Karl Brigham has composed a list on the basis of
differences in levels of intelligence among people who have migrated to United States
from other countries. On the basis of these average differences between the races, the
mental age of a particular individual cannot be calculated since this difference is based
on environment.
8. Differences due to nationality:
individuals of different nations show differences in respect of their personality, character and
mental abilities. These are the outcome of their geographical, social and cultural environment.
‘Russians are tall and stout’; ‘Ceylonese are short and slim’; ‘Germans have no sense of
humour’; ‘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.
9. Differences due to economic status:
Income level of family plays a dominant role in everyone’s life. Differences in
children’s interests, personality traits, aptitude , attitude, capabilities or tendencies and
character are caused by economic differences.

9. 10. Differences in interests:
Factors such as sex, family background level of development, differences
of race and nationality etc., cause differences in interests. Boys and girls
greatly differ in their interests in choosing courses, books, pictures, games
and dresses.
11. 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. Women are
more emotionally expressive, but not that they experience more emotions
than men do.
12. Personality differences:
There are differences in respect of personality. On the basis of differences
in personality, individuals have been classified into many groups.

10. CAUSES OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES:
i. Heredity:
Some heretical traits bring a change from one individual to other. Physical characteristics
such as height, weight, colour of eye and skin, social and intellectual behaviour are
determined by heredity. Differences in these characteristics are due to the change in the
genes transmitted. Fraternal twins also differ from each other, because they are born out of
different genes.
ii. 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. Environmental factors, such as upbringing, culture, geographic
location, and life experiences, greatly influence our personality. For example, a child raised
in a harmonious environment may have a more positive or calm outlook and disposition.
iii. Race and Nationality:
Race and Nationality is one cause of individual difference. Indians are considered very
peace loving having a sense of longevity. Americans are considered very frank .

11. iv. 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. On average, males tend to be more dominant, assertive, risk-prone,
thrill-seeking, tough-minded, emotionally stable, utilitarian, and open to abstract ideas.
v. 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.
vi. 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. This
education brings a change in our attitude, behaviour, appreciations, Personality. It is seen that
uneducated persons are guided by their instinct and emotions where as the educated persons
are guided by their reasoning power.

13. Inter individual differences are the variations or
distinctions that exist between different
or groups of individuals.
These differences can be seen across a wide range
of attributes including personality traits, physical
traits, cognitive abilities, and socio-cultural
backgrounds.
Examples of inter individual differences
• Individuals may have different levels of
intelligence, creativity, logical thinking and
solving abilities.
• Individuals may vary in colour of skin, eyes,
height, weight and other physical traits.

14. Intra Individual Differences
Intra individual differences are the variations or
distinctions that exist within an individual over time
periods. In other words, individuals may exhibit changes
their behaviours, attitudes, or performance over time
depending on the situation.
Examples of intra individual differences
• Some individuals are good in academics while others in
sports.
• A student may perform well in one subject but struggle
in another.
• An individual may have different hobbies at different
stages of life.

16. *Aims of education, curriculum, methods of teaching should be
framed by keeping in mind individual differences. Students may
have different abilities and traits .
*Some students may be gifted, some may be slow learners and
some may be creative. Curriculum should be designed as per the
interest, abilities and needs of different students.
* Some students can learn by watching, some may learn by
listening and some may learn by doing. The teacher has to adopt
different types of methods of teaching considering individual
differences related to interest, need, etc.
* Some co-curricular activities such as Drama, role playing,
music, literary activities (Essay, Story writing. Poetical recitation
& Debate Competition) should be assigned to children according

17. * Audio-visual aids must be used by teachers to 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.
* In case of vocational guidance the counselor is to plan the
guidance technique keeping in view the needs and requirements
of the students.

18. *The knowledge of individual differences will enable the teacher to
understand and tolerate the inherent differences among learners.
*There should be provision of guidance centre in schools. Expert counselors
should be available to understand counseling needs of individuals because of
individual differences.
*The teachers should assign responsibilities to students on the basis of their
capabilities to boost their confidence.
*The teacher should employ different motivation techniques in stimulating the
different learners’ interests.
*The teacher should also endeavor to make use of a variety of teaching aids to
ensure that the message gets across to different learners and that their attention
is also secured.

19. *Psychological or emotional needs must be understood. Sometimes
students may be facing some psychological problems like feeling of
loneliness, depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, etc. So teachers or
parents should give immediate attention to understand their feelings .
Some students may be very sensitive.
*In a classroom there may be students from different socio-economic
conditions. Individual differences may be on the basis of gender,
language, religion, caste, race, locality, type of family or income. So
needs of all students must be catered.
*There may be some students in the class who are different from others
due to their physical or mental impairment. They may need extra attention
and different type of facilities to be created in the classrooms.

20. * Learners’ sitting arrangement should also be considered by the teacher.
Students who are shortsighted (myopic) or are hard of hearing should be
seated in front of the class or close to the loudspeaker where it is in use.
* Group assignments should be given occasionally. Peer groups can be
formed in class. The groups should consist of individuals with different
abilities. Weak students can easily learn from their peers.
*The teacher should avoid labeling learners, this could lead to a lot of
emotional discomfort to individuals labeled and such labeling could lead
to dislike for the teacher, school, and learning.
*All students are unique and they may have different capacities and
capabilities due to individual differences. So students should never be
compared. Parents must be counseled as they impose undue academic
pressure on their wards sometimes.
* Individual attention must be given to each students. Not a single student
must feel that he or she is being ignored in classroom.

22. https://www.beled.in/individual-differences-important-topic-for-b-el-ed-exam/
https://www.educationminder.com/2023/05/inter-and-intra-individual-differences.html
https://amesconsult.com/individual-differences-and-their-educational-implications
https://brainly.in/question/30958490#:~:text=The%20physical%20characteristics%20such%20as,born%20out%20of
%20different%20genes.
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