individual differences evaluation

principle 1

all individuals are unique and differ in behaviour so we should focus on trying to understand the ways in which people are different and unique instead of trying to overgeneralise behaviour into one general law

principle 2

individual differences come from biological factors and/or experience, so therefore there is no such thing as an ‘average person’

is the individual differences area nature or nurture

the individual differences area is nature as it suggests that individuals differ due to biological factors

the individual differences area is nurture as it suggests that individuals personal experience and upbringing effects their behaviour

what studies support the individiual differences area being nature

baron cohen supports nature as some differences between people may be present from birth like having an impaired theory of mind due to conditions like autism

hancock supports nature as some differences between people mat be present from birth like having a greater focus on phsiological needs due to being a psychopath.

what study supports the individiual differences area being nurture

freud supports the area being nurture as he showed that individual experience like from upbringing can effect people’s behaviour e.g. little hans experience in the oedipus complex was effected by his father’s appearence which made him scared of the black bits around a horses mouth and his little sister being born caused him to fear the bath

is the individual differences area individual or situational

the individual differences area is individualistc when it consideres biological factors which are internal to the eperson

the individual differences area is situational when it considers external factors that effect behaviour like upbringing