Individual Differences: A Review

Abstract

Differential psychology refers to the objective and quantitative investigation of individual differences in behaviour. While the notion that individual differences exist can be dated back to Plato in 400 B.C., the systematic study of individual differences and psychometrics did not begin until the early 1900's. The following paper will: (a) trace the history of individual differences research, (b) explore the methods of measuring individual differences, (c) identify the causes of individual differences, (d) provide evidence attesting to the long term stability of individual differences, (e) provide evidence that individual differences in intelligence and personality traits can be used to predict success in both civilian and military jobs, and (f) provide evidence that individual differences in intelligence and personality traits can be used to predict leadership and creativity. Finally, this paper will highlight some of the criticisms of the current individual differences research and suggest future directions for researchers in this field.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA402632

Entities

People

  • Tonya L. Stokes-hendriks

Organizations

  • Defence Research and Development Canada

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Cognition
  • Educational Psychology
  • Employment
  • Genetics
  • Human Behavior
  • Human Development
  • Information Processing
  • Leadership
  • Measurement
  • Military Personnel
  • Motor Skills
  • New York
  • Personality
  • Psychiatry
  • Psychological Tests
  • Psychology
  • Social Psychology

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Psychometric Testing or Psychological Assessment.
  • Theoretical Analysis.