Key Points

Individual differences refer to the distinctiveness and variations among people's characteristics and behaviour patterns. Psychologists study these differences to understand what makes each person unique.

Assessment is the measurement and evaluation of an individual's psychological attributes like intelligence, personality, and values. It can be formal (standardised, objective) or informal (subjective).

Key psychological attributes assessed are Intelligence (global capacity), Aptitude (potential to acquire skills), Interest (preference for activities), Personality (enduring characteristics), and Values (enduring beliefs).

The psychometric approach views intelligence as an aggregate of abilities (structure), while the information-processing approach describes the mental processes underlying intelligent behaviour (function).

In 1927, Charles Spearman proposed that intelligence consists of a general factor (g-factor) common to all tasks, and several specific factors (s-factors) unique to particular tasks.

Louis Thurstone's theory stated that intelligence consists of seven independent primary mental abilities, including verbal comprehension, numerical ability, and spatial relations.

Howard Gardner proposed that there are eight distinct types of intelligence, such as Linguistic, Logical-Mathematical, Spatial, Musical, Bodily-Kinaesthetic, Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Naturalistic.

Robert Sternberg identified three basic types of intelligence: Componential (analytical), Experiential (creative), and Contextual (practical or street smartness).

Developed by J.P. Das and others, this model describes intelligence as the interdependent functioning of three neurological systems: Planning, Attention-arousal, and Simultaneous-Successive processing.

In 1912, William Stern devised the concept of IQ. It is calculated as Mental Age (MA) divided by Chronological Age (CA), multiplied by 100. The average IQ is 100.

People with IQ scores above 130 are considered intellectually gifted, showing exceptional general ability. Those with IQs below 70 and deficits in adaptive behaviour are termed intellectually disabled.

Intelligence tests can be individual or group tests. They can also be classified as verbal (requiring language), non-verbal (using pictures), or performance tests (manipulating objects).

Culture shapes intelligence. Western cultures often value technological intelligence (analysis, speed), while non-western cultures may value integral intelligence, which includes social and emotional competencies.

Introduced by Salovey and Mayer, emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, understand, manage, and use emotions to guide thinking and actions. It is considered crucial for success in life.

Aptitude refers to an individual's underlying potential to acquire specific skills with training. It is different from intelligence, which is a broader global capacity, and interest, which is a preference for an activity.

Creativity is the ability to produce novel and useful ideas or solutions. While a certain level of intelligence is necessary for creativity, a high IQ does not guarantee it, as creativity also involves divergent thinking.