PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING AND MOTIVATION
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
We notice that there are individual differences in structure, mental abilities, the colour of skin etc. in the students when we look at their faces each individual is unique. If we carefully observe we can notice some are healthy and jolly and others are weak and irritable. Some forget quickly and some remember well and some respond quickly and others slowly. In this way, there are differences in individuals. Every one of us is a typical human being in himself. These differences in one form or other found in individual is named as “Individual Differences” in psychological terminology.
The answers to these differences are found in two major forces i.e. heredity and environment. Nature and nurture (Education) are two great influences which make the individuals today what they are.
NATURE OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES
Followings are the varieties of individual differences found in human beings:
1) Physical Differences : Height, weight, colour of skin and eyes structure
etc. are the main physical difference.
2) Mental Differences : People differ in intellectual abilities and capacities like problem solving and thinking power, power of imagination, concentration etc. In the field of general intelligence also, we find lot of difference.
3) Difference in Motor Abilities : Very wide difference in motor abilities such as reaction time, speed of action, steadiness, rate of muscular movement, manual dexterity and resistance of fatigue etc.
4)Emotional Difference : In some individuals positive emotions like love, affection and amusement etc. are more prevalent whereas in other negative emotions are powerful. Some are emotionally stable and others are emotionally unstable and immature.
5) Difference in respect of Interest and Aptitude : Specific tastes and interests vary widely from person to person. Some feel happy in solitude and some others feel happy in meeting persons and social work etc. Some have mechanical aptitude and other have artistic and musical aptitude.
6) Learning Difference : In the field of learning very vast individual differences are notice since the inception of teaching. Some learn more easily and able to make their learning more comfortable than others.
A particular type of method may be suitable for one group of learners but other group of learners cannot able to adjust in this method and they may more comfortable in other method. In the same way the suitability of learning situation also depends upon the individual nature of the learner.
7) Difference in Social and Moral Development: There may be lot of differences in respect of moral and social developments. Some are found to be adjusted properly in the social situation and lead happy social life while others are socially handicapped – unsocial or antisocial, similarly people are found to differ in ethical or moral sense.
8) Economic Condition :
9) Relation with Parents :
CAUSE OF INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES :
Whatever may the differences in the individuals seems to exist can be clearly say to the variations in hereditary or environmental situation or both.
The numerous special factors that cause people to differ can be traced back to heredity and environment. Individuals different in many cases because one has had better opportunities than another an environment factor – but even when given the same opportunities one person make better use of them than the another because he is better equipped by HEREDITY to take advantage of what the ENVIRONMENT has to offer.
i) HEREDITY : “Heredity means the biological potentialities passed on through the GENES from the parents to the children. Heredity consists of tendencies to develop in certain ways, these tendencies are not left behind in infancy but are carried along through life.”
ii) ENVIRONMENT : “Environment means all of the extrinsic forces, influence and conditions, which effect the life, nature, behaviours, growth, development and maturation of live organism.”
Heredity covers all the factors that were present in individuals when he began life, while environment covers all the outside factors that have acted on him since that time.
INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES ON EDUCATION : The common belief is that individuals differs in various abilities, capacities and personal characteristic is in fact responsible for bringing individual tendencies in education. It has helped to teachers to realize the following facts.
a) In any group there may be persons deviate from the norms of the group.
b) Along with the average is the presence of very superior and extremely dull is equally possible in the class.
c)Every teacher should try to have the desired knowledge of the abilities, capacities, attitudes, aptitudes, interest and other personality traits of his students and in the light of his knowledge, he should give individual guidance to the learners for maximum use of their abilities.
d) From a group of students in particular field a teacher cannot expect uniformity in going proficiency or success. Due to their subs-normal intelligence, previous background, lack of proper interest aptitude and attitude etc., some students have to lag behind in some other area of achievement.
e) It is important to know all students cannot be benefited by a particular method of instruction, a uniform and rigid curriculum.
SUGGESTION HOW TO DEAL WITH INDIVIDUAL DIFFERECE
When we realize the above facts, we think that some provisions we must have for the wide individual schooling and learning to individual. However, the following suggestion may prove helpful for the teacher in this direction.
a) PROPER KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL : First step in making provision for individual differences is to know about abilities, capacities, interests, attitudes and other personality traits of the individual learners. To find out, intelligence test, aptitude test and assessing personality traits should be taken.
b) HOMOGENEOUS GROUPING : a homogeneous group will definitely reduce the wide range of individual differences. This is actually ability grouping. I.Q. Performance test may be used for this grouping.
INTELLIGENCE : “Intelligence is a general capacity of an individual consciously to adjust his thinking to know requirement, it is general mental adaptability to our problems and conditions of life.” - “Slern”
“Intelligence is contained in comprehension, invention, direction and criticism.” “Benet”
Intelligence test invented by French Scientist “Benet” & “Simon” in 1904. I.Q.
(Intelligence Quotient) – Intelligence always refers to aptitude rather than achievement. A student can be very intelligent yet accomplish very little in his studies. The term I.Q. is simply a moan of relating general aptitude to age. It is determined by standard intelligence tests given under controlled conditions.
Psychologist applied the following formula for calculating I.Q.
I.Q. = MA/CA X 100, where, MA = Mental Age CA = Chronological Age
The intelligence quotient indicates the rate of mental growth of a child.
CLASSIFICATION :
For purposed as comparison. I.Q. are generally classified as per following table:
(Classifications are required at the time of grouping the students for instruction.)
c) INDIVIDUALISING INSTRUCTION : This enables the learner to learn at their own individual rate. He may be asked to spend more time to study work or subjects and loss on stronger ones.
d) ADJUSTING THE METHOD OF TEACHING : Every teacher does this to some extent. Things are explained in different ways and the importance ones are repeated. Appeal is made to different senses. Formal instructions are supplemented by individual and group activity.
e) SPECIAL COACHING FOR DULL AND VERY BRIGHT LEARNERS : Special coaching will be desirable to help the dull learner to overcome specific difficulties and frustration due to the poor relative achievement and to prevent the bright learner becoming board, disinterested and retarded. Special arrangement also be made for those who are disable in sensory or physically.
f) ACCELERATION TO ABLER GOUP : Extra promotion or giving special grades in a period may be satisfying and encouraging the learners.
REFERENCE TO READING :
1) The Instructor and His Job by H.C. Rose.
2) Educational Psychology by B.C. Rai.
ASSIGNMENTS
1) Name the varieties of individual differences. Why is it necessary to take care of these differences sins the process of education?
2) Name the causes of individual differences and explain briefly.
3) What are the provisions for adjusting individual differences?
