A Study On Individual Differences Area With Principles And Concepts PDF

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Individual Differences Area The individual differences approach believes that everyone is different and unique and that it is these differences that explain our behaviour. This includes looking at differences such as culture, biology and cognitions. As a result of this, the individual differences area spends a lot of time looking at differences between people and their resulting behaviour. A great deal of psychological research takes what is called a nomothetic approach; it tries to find things that are similar got all people so that we can find laws of behaviour that can be generalised to everyone.

1. Principles and Concepts: 1. Everyone is different and unique and our differences explain our behaviour 2. Looks at differences between us rather than taking a nomothetic approach 3. Not everyone is the ‘average person’ 4. Believes a person’s behaviours are unique to them due to a combination of biological and experiential factors, such as DNA, cognitions and development

2. Research to Illustrate the Area: Freud (Little Hans) - Shows that children can differ and are unique as some have phobias whereas other children may not. Freud looked Hans’ dreams, fantasies and phobias and explains how these cause change in his behaviour, but also sees how external factors have an influence. Baron Cohen (Autism in adults) - Focuses on how people differ because of their DNA but also shows how this may not change them and how biological factors can cause change. Looked at each group of the sample as unique but wanted to see how unique. Gould (a nation of morons) - Looks at an attempt to develop a test to measure a way in which people differ, but outlines the problems with cultural bias. Evaluation shows how everyone is unique, as proven with the intelligence tests, as well as how it can be down to external factors as well as their biology. Hancock (language in psychopaths) - Focuses on trying to measure differences in people when you are aware of the differences, and seeing how this will change their language and behaviour. Looks at how different murders can affect behaviour and language.

3. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Area: Strengths       

Enables comparisons Usefulness High ecological validity Practical applications Nature and nurture Takes in consideration external factors Collects both qualitative and quantitative data

Weaknesses       

Ethical issues Subjective Individual explanations only Unrepresentative samples Considering too many factors Bias Hard to verify scientifically

One strength of the individual differences area is that it accepts both sides of the nature/nurture debate. Freud’s study on Little Hans’ dreams and phobias demonstrated that his behaviour was being caused by both external influences around him, such as his family and friends, but also, he displayed the classic behaviours for a child experiencing the Oedipus Complex. This is a strength because Freud has shown both acceptance and understanding of results that

support both the nature and nurture side of the debate, meaning that he is considering all factors surrounding Little Hans and what could have caused his changes in behaviour. Another strength of the individual differences area is that the theme ‘measuring differences’ has high ecological validity. Hancock’s study into the language of psychopaths took place in a Canadian correctional facility, which was the prisoners’ natural environment. This means that they were in their natural environment so they weren’t affected by confounding variables, caused by the settings of the lab. This is a strength because it means that because it has this high validity as it took place in their natural environment so this means the results are generalizable to the target population which means that the results are more representative. One weakness of the individual differences area is that the data collected is subjective. Objective is when data has an unbiased view which will be interpreted the same by everyone, so subjective is the opposite of this. Gould’s study was analysing the results that Yerkes collected from the US Army. This is subjective because his analysis of the results was his opinion which could have been biased as could have been analysed differently by another psychologist. This is a weakness because this means that all Gould’s analysis could be bias and completely his view, portraying something that isn’t there, whereas it is better to be objective. Another weakness of the individual differences area is that it considers too many factors that cause changes in behaviour. The individual differences area looks at biological, cognitive and external influences on behaviour which means it covers all causes of the debate. Freud studies little Hans and predicted from his results that it was down to his biology, normal childhood development and his surroundings that caused changes in his behaviour, which means it doesn’t give one clear fault. This is a weakness because it means that the data is not very clear as could believe that every behaviour is caused by everything, so that there wouldn’t be one explanation for causes of behaviour.

4. Applications of the Area Personality Intelligence Psychopathy Abnormality

5. Exam Questions on this Area Describe one way the individual differences area is different from the biological area. Use examples from relevant core studies to support your answer [5] -

Identify difference

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Example from study 1

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Example from study 2

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Elaborate/explain study (2 marks)

One difference between these two areas is the way they explain human behaviour. Individual differences area believes that everyone is unique and behaviour is caused by differences whereas the biological area believes that behaviour is a consequence of our genetics and hormones. Baron Cohen looked at Autism in Adults and if this affected their theory of mind. They found that those with Autism were affected in some areas but were better in others compared to Tourette’s and normal participants. This shows that everyone is unique as both Autism and Tourette’s affects behaviour yet the results were different for them. Sperry looked at hemisphere de-connection and found similar results in each procedure which found that it was the split brain which caused this difference, which is a consequence of our genetics. This is different because Sperry explained that it was due to the split brain that participant’s acted differently as it was down to a physical change to their brain whereas Baron Cohen saw that each individual was different even though they had the same condition.

Outline one way the individual differences area has been applied to explaining human behaviour. Justify your response with evidence from a relevant core study. [5]  

Must include core study from spec Description of area followed by description of study = max 2 marks

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Must explain HOW the area explains human behaviour

The individual differences approach believes that everyone is different and unique and that it is these differences that explain our behaviour. This includes looking at differences such as culture, biology and cognitions. The area takes an ideographic view of people, looking to investigate the things that make people unique. Freud observed Little Hans and recorded his behaviour, dreams and fantasies. He found clear evidence to support the Oedipus Complex, especially the Phallic Stage. He also looked at phobias, which explains human behaviour because although not everyone has the same phobia, it shows how people react to their phobias but also what causes them. This is very specific to the individual, which supports the area as it believes everyone is unique. This area supports human behaviour because it says everyone is unique and this is true about human behaviour because no one is the same.

6. Debates that link to the Area Debate Nature or Nurture Freewill or Deterministic Reductionist or Holistic Individual or Situational Useful Ethical Socially Sensitive Research Scientific

Which Side? Both Freewill Holistic Individual Yes Yes Yes No

Why?

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