Sources and Types of Individual Differences in Education with Examples

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Sources and Types of Individual Differences in Education with Examples

John P.De Ceeceo states,

“The psychology of individual differences is largely the study of group differences. This study classifies individuals by age, traits, sex, race, social class and so on, and observes the differences within and between those groups. Physical, mental, social and cultural differences etc. are being studied, under individual differences.”

James Drever states,

“Individual Differences are deviations from the average of the group, with respect to the mental or physical characteristics occurring in the individual members of the group.”

Individual Differences are the characteristics that are specific in nature and differentiate a person from another. For instance, everyone has a different perception of the world. According to Carter B. Good’s Educational Dictionary,

”An individual difference stands for the variations or deviations among individuals in regard to a single characteristic or a number of characteristics.”

The different sources and types of individual differences are as follows: 

1. Physical Differences:

Individual differences among individuals also exist  in physical forms like in height, weight, colour, complexion strength, etc.

2. Differences in Intelligence:

The difference in intelligence include achievement, interest, attitude, aptitude, learning habits, motor abilities, skill.

3. Gender Differences:

Individual Differences also exist between genders such as male, female, or transgender. 

4. Different Interests:

There can be different types of individual differences such as different tastes, preferences, needs, intrinsic and extrinsic potential towards society and self.

5. Perspective:

All individuals have different perspective about the world. For instance, some might be optimistic while some may be pessimistic. 

6. Nationality Differences:

People belong to different countries and hence, they also have different nationalities. 

7. Different Motor Abilities:

Just as people have different intelligence levels, likewise, people also possess varying motor abilities. 

C.V. Good adds,

“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.”