The Individual Differences Approach to Personality...

The Individual Differences Approach to Personality: Personality is a term that has largely been considered an unproblematic concept and primarily refers to the varying kinds of characteristics of individuals. Despite this assumption, psychologists have constantly used the word in different ways. The varying views in the use of this concept or term are fueled by the fact that psychology usually makes generalizations regarding individuals. Generally, personality seeks to examine the many differences and similarities between individuals. Formal evaluation and study of personality have mainly focused on patterns of similarities versus patterns of differences among individuals. When evaluating patterns of differences, the concept of†¦show more content†¦Unlike the nomothetic approach, idiographic uses a case study method in order to provide a detailed account of the behaviors, feelings, subjective experiences, and lives of singles individuals. One of the major examples of i diographic approach in examining individual differences is the case study of the psychoanalytic approach as a means of thinking about personality. The study of individual differences has basically been based on nomothetic personality research despite the focus of this approach on making generalizations and establishing personality structures for every individual. The use of this approach is based on the fact that it does not explore individuality but identifying global dimensions for the entire population of people. The scores of individuals on these dimensions are then used as the basis for differentiation and comparison of people. Explanation of Personality with Reference to Genes: The individual differences approach to assessing personality goes beyond personality descriptions in order to determine the causes of differences in personality. One of the ways that the causes of differences are examined in these studies is through the use of biological systems in light of the probable contributions of genetics to personality (Thomas, n.d., 295). In this case, psychologists have attempted to map individual differences in personality according to brain structure or function. These