Understanding Individual Differences: Key Aspects Explored

Individual Differences DR.MANJUNATH B.KORI Associate Professor and Coordinator IGNOU Study Centre1307 BLDEA s JSS College of Education , P.G Studies in Education and Research Centre,Vijayapur- 586101

Individual Differences We human beings differ in Size, Shape,Appearance, Speed of Reaction and innumerable other aspects of our personality make up and behaviour. Among us some are healthy and enthusiastic, while others are weak and irritable. Some are Blue eyed, and Black haired, while others have black eyes and Grey hair. Some learn quickly, and others slowly, Some remember well, while others forget. In this way, no one among is just the same as another.

Being alike in some aspects, we are definitely different in many ways. We human beings have our own individuality which contributes for the variance and differences found among ourselves.These differences in human beings are referred to as Individual Differences

Individual differences stand for -the variations or deviations among individuals in regard to a single characteristic characteristics. or a number of Individual differences which in their totality, distinguish one individual from another. differences stand for-those

Areas of Individual Differences Physical Differences Mental Differences Differences in Motor Abilities Differences in Achievement Emotional Differences Differences in Interests &Aptitudes Differences in Attitudes,Beliefs & Opinions Learning Differences Differences in Social & Moral Development

Determinants of Individual Differences Heredity Environment Douglas and Holland- say that Heredity One s Heredity consists of all the structures, physical Characteristics, functions or capacities derived from parents, other ancestry or species.

Life is the result of the union of Male and Female Cells. The zygote, that is, the fertilized ovum consists of a semifluid mass called cytoplasm cytoplasm, there is a nucleus,that contain chromosomes and within the 23 pairs of Chromosomes contributed from father and 23 pairs of Chromosomes contributed from mother Total 46 chromosomes. This is the transmission of the Hereditary Characteristics from the mother and father is said to be equal.

Chromosomes possess very small thread like structures called Genes. >1000 Genes present in each human chromosome cell. Thus the possibility of 23,000 Characteristics, each from mother and father may help usto understand the reasons for uniqueness of each Individual. Genes are determined in terms of DNA and RNA.. DNA- DeoxyRibo Nucleic Acid RNA- Ribo Nucleic Acid DNA is a basic chemical substabce responsible fir Genetic Inhertance RNA- Active Assistant to DNA

Thus Genes provide a solid supoirtvfor explaining the variations and dissimilarities in Height,Weight,Intelligence, Blood type,Skin and Eye colourand similar other Characteristics found in the oarents and their offsprings, as well as the offsprings if the same parents.

Role of the Heredity Heredity determines the Gender of the child X X. Mother X. Y. Father X. X. Y X. X. X. Y Girl. Boy Y Chromosomeis comparitevly small in size. Father s chromosome is dominant

Heredity contributes significantly towards physical constitution. Contribution of Heredity towards the birth of Twins and the related Individual differences -Identical Twins -Fraternal Twins

Environment The environment is everything that affects the Individual except his genes. -Boring,Longfield and Weld Environment coversall the outside factors that have acted on the Individual since he began life -Woodworth and Marquis

Physical Forces Food, School,Village or City, All the Natural Resources Water, Climate, Physical Atmosphere of Home, Social Forces Parents, Family members,Friends, Classmates,Neighbours, Teachers,Community Members,Society,Mass communication Means,Religious Places,Clubs,Libraries

Different environmental factors have a desirable impact on the physical, social,Emotional,Intellectual,Moral and Aesthetic development of the Individual. Their influence is continuous that begins with the emergence of life and follows till death.

Educational provisions for Individual differences Proper knowledge of Individual s potentialities Ability Grouping Adjusting the Curriculum Adjusting the Methods of teaching Adopting special programmes or Methods for individualising instruction Teacher should understand Strengths and weaknesses of students. Proper Drill and Practice work or Assigning the Homework Making classroom strength as small as possible. Thus by providing multidimensional tasks, the problem of Individual differences can be tackled.

Thank you