What is differential psychology?

Differential psychology is a part of science that deals with the identification and study of psychological differences between one person and a certain group of people. As a rule, in the course of research, special attention is paid to the psychological manifestation of people belonging to different age, ethnic and social groups.

And although differential psychology as an independent science has emerged quite recently, it is very important. This term was first used in 1900, when Stern developed a concept that defines and explains the differences between individuals and their groups.

This branch of science sets itself two main tasks. First, in the course of research, scientists try to identify individual differences. Secondly, psychologists are faced with the task of explaining the cause of their origin and origin.

Differential psychology and the work of Francis Galton . Having examined the work of this scientist, one can understand certain features of differential psychology. During his experiments, most psychologists preferred to study the common features of mankind. At the same time, Galton was interested in the individual characteristics of each person and the possibility of their heredity. It was during this period that the idea arose that the mental and physical abilities, talent and some non-standard human capabilities are transmitted genetically from relatives.

That is why he carefully studied his patients, both psychologically and physiologically. For example, he assessed the level of muscle tone, determined the upper threshold of auditory sensitivity, etc. Then a special test was developed - the subject was asked to create a certain image in his imagination, and then to describe in detail all the features. Galton also studied some individual qualities of the image, and also compared the results of the experiment of close relatives, for example, determined the level of similarity between the images of brothers and sisters.

It was he who for the first time sent out extensive questionnaires to all scientists in England to determine the level of their intellect and to reveal the features of thinking.

Differential psychology and its methods . Like in any other science, scientists use a wide variety of research methods. They can be divided into different groups.

If we take into account the type of experiment used in experiments, we can distinguish:

• Introspective methods - their results are based on data of purely subjective experience;
• Extraspection methods - they use only objective results that can be accurately measured;

The activity of the impact on the object under investigation also has significance:

• Observation is a passive method of investigation;
• The experiment is a well thought out and active method;

The level of generalization is also taken into account. In this case, the methods are divided into:

• Idiographic - are guided by a single object, its psychology and psychography;
• Nomotetic - are guided by general data;

These methods of research use science psychology in virtually any study.

In addition, it is conventionally divided the methods of differential psychology into:

• General scientific;
• Historical;
• Psychological;
• Psychogenic;

Of course, differential psychology has its problems. For example, if a person's personality is really individual or very rare, the researcher, from his point of view, is unlikely to be able to understand them.

To date, this department of psychology is at a stage of rapid development. After all, the characteristics of different people, representatives of different sexes, nationalities, classes, ages, etc. are studied. In addition, various types of relationships between subjects are taken into account. All this creates huge opportunities for new discoveries, research and development of ways to eliminate psychological problems.