Individual differences

Question 1

the psychology of individual differences is unique in…

Answer 1

being interested in the ways in which people differ and the reasons for these differences.

Question 2

psychologists in this area focus more on…

Answer 2

those whose behaviour falls outside the ‘normal’, typical or expected range of behaviour; sometimes known as ‘abnormal psychology’

Question 3

2 studies highlight the theme of ‘understanding differences’

Answer 3

Freud 1909 (classic) & Baron-Cohen (contemporary)

Question 4

2 studies paired around theme of ‘measuring differences’

Answer 4

Gould (1982) & Hancock (2011)

Question 5

Freud

Answer 5

uses case study method and psychodynamic principles to explain phobias.

Question 6

Baron-Cohen

Answer 6

uses quais-experiment method and cognitive principles to explain autistic spectrum disorders.

Question 7

Gould

Answer 7

review the use of IQ testing demonstrates how early research involving mass mental testing has been used to support racist arguments of white superiority.

Question 8

Hancock

Answer 8

study of language of psychopathic murderers using interviews and statistical techniques to directly compare psychopathic offenders’ accounts of crime narratives.

Question 9

nomothetic approach

Answer 9

most psychologists adopt when studying behaviour where they look at common features in people to develop theories and then real life applications.

Question 10

Idiographic view (used by individual differences psychologists)

Answer 10

individual differences psychologists take this view and assume individuals are unique and consequently it is worth studying people individually in detail to understand their behaviour fully as human behaviour is so complex we can’t assume all individuals behave in the same way.

Question 11

By looking at differences in individuals we can understand…

Answer 11

how people differ systematically and therefore can offer real life applications.
Also enables researchers to understand why people differ as the processes that lead to individual differences can be understood to also provide real life applications.

Question 12

How would you identify someone as being ‘abnormal’?

Answer 12

Abnormality can be seen as any of;
-a deviation of the average
-a deviation from the social norm
-a deviation from ideal mental health
-personal distress
-maladaptiveness
-unexpected behaviour
-highly predictive/unpredictive behaviour
-mental illness

Question 13

This approach assumes that…

Answer 13

All human beings are unique individuals who differ in terms of intelligence, personality, lifestyles etc…
These differences make it hard to categorise behaviour.
Some behaviour is normal, some abnormal and this is often difficult to define.

Question 14

other potential assumptions are…

Answer 14

-Individuals differ in their behaviour and personal qualities so not everyone can be considered ‘the average person’.
-Every individual is genetically unique, this uniqueness is displayed through behaviour-so everyone behaves differently.
-All psychological characteristics are inherited and everyone inherits different characteristics (everyone is different and unique)

Question 15

Strength of individual differences approach

Answer 15

It often uses case studies which are a popular method of collecting data; they are in depth and often longitudinal studies that focus on one individual or one case. A detailed case history can be useful in describing unusual of unique cases. E.g Freud.

Question 16

Strength of individual differences approach

Answer 16

It has many practical applications- much of the research is highly relevant to improving how we measure & understand disorders; including abnormal behaviour.
E.g Baron-Cohen’s research has aided developments in techniques and resources designed to help individuals with autism and AS overcome their difficulties and help improve their ability to interact socially.

Question 17

Strength of individual differences approach

Answer 17

It recognises that individual differences are an important element of people’s behaviour, something often overlooked by other approaches. By focusing on the ways that people differ rather than how their behaviour fits in with general rules, it enables psychologists to find out about a wider range of human behaviours, not just average ones.

Question 18

Weakness of individual differences approach

Answer 18

Often problems with data type collected from studies in this approach, Some of the techniques used are not fully objective and may be open to bias, this can present problems for researchers with interpretation and analysis which leads us to question the validity of the approach.

Question 19

Weakness of individual differences approach

Answer 19

Often focuses on unique cases, the rarity of these cases may lead to intrusive investigations and excessive study and testing, which does not help the individual and could distress them, raising ethical concerns and issues of social sensitivity about the balance between the value of the research and causing possible harm to the person being investigated.

Question 20

Weakness of individual differences approach

Answer 20

The approach takes an idiographic approach often meaning generalisations (nomothetic approach) are not possible.
E.g Freud’s study on Little Hans, the unique insights cannot be presumed to be true for all people, it is questionable whether the experiences of a middle class child in Vienna are likely to be typical of the experiences of children in other, less privileged parts of the world. (research could also be considered ethnocentric)

Question 21

socially sensitive research

Answer 21

Research that has the potential to have a negative impact on specific groups of people or society generally.