Week 1: Introduction

What is structural diversity?

Demographic composition along socially salient categories like age, gender, and ethnicity.

What are the 2 dimensions of diversity?

1. Structural diversity

2. Individual diversity

What is individual diversity?

Understanding how and why individuals vary from one another in thought and behaviour.

What are the 6 historical shifts in individual differences research?

1. Variation matters

2. Measuring variation

3. Identifying underlying structures

4. Thinking in dimensions

5. Explaining variation

6. Integrating multiple influences

Shift 1: Variation Matters

Differences can be reliable, systematic, and have real-world consequences.

Shift 2: Measuring Variation

The development of psychometrics, standardised tests, and questionnaires.

Shift 3: Identifying Underlying Structures

Using methods like factor analysis to identify underlying latent variables.

Shift 4: Thinking in Dimensions

Capturing individual differences precisely using a continuum rather than fixed boxes.

Shift 5: Explaining Variation

Investigating biological, genetic, and environmental mechanisms.

Shift 6: Integrating Multiple Influences

Focusing on how multiple factors interact rather than searching for a single cause.