Masters of Psychology -

Evgeny Pavlovich Ilyin

Psychology of individual differences

Foreword

The book provides basic information on the psychology of individual differences, considered in differential psychology and differential psychophysiology. The problems of differential psychophysiology were outlined by me in my previously published book “Differential Psychophysiology” (2001). This book is partially included in this textbook, however, in a restructured form and with some additions and abbreviations, which is dictated by the volume of the latter. Thus, the “Psychology of individual differences” does not include part 5 “Functional asymmetry as a problem of differential psychophysiology”; those interested in this problem can refer to the publication cited above. Differences between men and women are also not considered. This problem has received a fairly complete coverage in my other book "Differential psychophysiology of men and women" (2002).

New chapters of this study guide mainly devoted to issues that are considered in differential psychology.

It should immediately be clarified what individual differences will be discussed in this book. These are differences in the properties of temperament and personality, which determine not so much quantitative as qualitative differences in the behavior and activities of people. Qualitative differences are an expression of quantitative ones, but the latter are often so great that people, being at different poles of the continuum (that is, when one or another psychological or psychophysiological parameter manifests itself to an unequal degree), behave and work differently.

At the same time, with the existing differences, a qualitative (typical) similarity of people is also found - in the degree of expression of certain parameters, in the way of behavior, in the style of activity and communication, etc. Being individual, inherent in a particular person, these qualitative differences are also characteristic of others. individuals, i.e. they can be called typical. They talk about typical differences when people are divided into strong and weak, kind and greedy, emotional and unemotional, etc. However, for example, quantitative differences are also observed among the strong: one person is strong, but not to the same extent as another, but that one is not like the third one, etc.

B. M. Teplov pointed out the need quality approach to individual differences. It is the qualitative typical and individual differences between people that are considered in this book. At the same time, we will also talk about their genesis (origin): what is their conditionality - genetic or social, as well as their influence on behavior and the effectiveness of human activity. Accordingly, on the basis of the individual and typical characteristics of a person as an individual and personality, it is possible with a certain degree of probability to predict the characteristics of his behavior, the effectiveness of his activity and create optimal conditions for each person that contribute to such effective activity. This is practical significance of this section of psychological science, obvious to the luminaries of Russian physiology and psychology I. P. Pavlova, B. M. Teplov, V. S. Merlin.

I will cite an excerpt from the preface by E. A. Klimov to the book by V. S. Merlin “Essay on the integral study of individuality” (1986).

When the laboratory of B. M. Teplov plunged into the questions of the physiology of types of higher nervous activity(Boris Mikhailovich himself threw out the phrase that in matters of typology he is now more a physiologist than physiology themselves), V. S. Merlin used to say something like this: “Well done, Boris Mikhailovich! He is scolded for his departure from practice, from school, even from psychology, but he is deeply right, because without knowing the real foundations of individual psychological differences it is really impossible to move into practice” (p. 12).

When writing the book, I adhered to the principle of historicism, that is, I described the stages of development of the doctrine of individual differences in people in sequence, as it actually happened, from the study of generalized characteristics (types of temperament and constitution) to the consideration of particular individual (properties of the nervous system , temperament and personality), then returning again to the generalized - individuality. It would seem that it would be more logical to present the material in a different way - to move from the description of particular characteristics to the presentation of generalized ones, but this path has its drawbacks. In particular, it seems impossible to show the difficulty of forming the positions of scientists of different generations on the problem of individual differences; it would also be difficult to highlight not only the discoveries of psychologists, but also the mistakes they made.

The book consists of five parts. The first deals with various approaches to generalized individual characteristics of a person - types of temperament and personality. The second part is devoted to the features of the manifestation of the properties of the nervous system, which represent the natural basis of individual differences. The third part deals with individual differences in behavior.

In the fourth part, the effectiveness of human activity is comprehended, depending on its individual characteristics. This part is divided into three sections. The first one is devoted to the problem of abilities and giftedness, fundamental for differential psychology and differential psychophysiology, on which the effectiveness of an individual's activity largely depends. The second section deals with styles of activity and leadership, in which individual characteristics of a person are manifested. The third section contains rich empirical material on the influence of typological features on the success of various types of human activities. In addition to purely theoretical significance (the problem of the relationship between biological and social in human development), knowledge of these facts is also of great practical importance, since on their basis people are (or should be) selected for various areas of professional and sports activities, the optimal one for a given subject is selected. methods of teaching and training, style of activity.

The fifth part of the manual deals with the relationship of individual characteristics with predisposition to various diseases. This issue is little covered in the specialized literature. At least no book on individual differences even mentions it.

It should be emphasized that the proposed manual is intended for those who are already familiar with the basics of psychology, physiology of the nervous system and psychophysiology. Therefore, an unprepared person may experience some difficulties when reading this book.

I tried to show the problem of individual differences not in the form of axiomatic propositions, but to illuminate it in all its complexity, without hiding the contradictions and erroneous judgments that exist in the history of science, in order to encourage the reader to think, to active mental activity and, in the end, to gain their own point of view on the problem at hand. A large number of references to literary sources is due to my desire to give the provisions expressed in the book scientific validity, argumentation.

The book provides an appendix that provides methods for studying the individual characteristics of a person and an extensive list of references that may be useful to those who want to study the issues presented in the manual in more depth.

I hope that the book will be useful for practical psychologists, physicians, as well as for university teachers of psychology and will contribute to the elimination of the existing gap between the physiological and psychological knowledge acquired by psychologists. At the same time, it may also be of interest to physiologists who study man, helping them to cognize the psychological manifestations of physiological processes. The book can also be useful for teachers, as it allows understanding the natural foundations of the abilities and behavior of students, an individual approach to them in the process of training and education.

St. Petersburg: Peter, 2004. - 701 p. - (Masters of Psychology). The book outlines the basic information on the psychology of individual differences, which are considered in differential psychology and differential psychophysiology (differences in the properties of temperament and personality, causing not so much quantitative as qualitative differences in people's behavior and activities). The appendix provides methods for studying
individual characteristics of a person and an extensive list of references that may be useful to those who want to study the issues presented in the manual in more depth. The book is addressed to practical psychologists, physicians, university teachers of psychology, physiologists and teachers. Foreword.
A brief excursion into the history of the study of differences between people.
The beginning of the development of ideas about individual-typical differences.
The origin of differential psychology as a science.
Differential psychophysiology as part of differential psychology.
first. Types of temperament and personality.
Teaching about temperament.
The emergence of the doctrine of temperament. Humoral theories of temperament types.
Description of temperament types by I. Kant.
Wundt's new approach to temperament.
Constitutional approach to temperament.
Genetic theory of temperament types by K. Konrad.
Representations of IP Pavlov and his students about the types of temperament.
Psychological (factorial) theories of temperament.
Typology of K. Jung.
Types of temperament (accentuation of character) according to K. Leonhard.
New approaches to the study of typological differences between people.
Ideas about the temperament of G. Eysenck.
Approach to the study of temperament in the Perm psychophysiological school of V. S. Merlin.
A look at the problem of temperament in the psychophysiological school of BM Teplov.
Regulatory theory of temperament J. Strelyau.
Approaches of Western psychologists to the study of types of temperament.
Do temperamental features change with age? .
The balance of temperament and character.
Personality types.
second. Properties of the nervous system as a natural basis for individual differences.
General ideas about the properties of the nervous system and the typological features of their manifestation.
Correlation of the concepts "property of the nervous system" and "typological features of the manifestation of the properties of the nervous system".
Characteristics of the typological features of the manifestation of the properties of the nervous system.
Structure and classification of properties of the nervous system.
Partial and general properties of the nervous system.
Characterization of individual properties of the nervous system.
Strength of the nervous system.
Mobility - inertness and lability of nervous processes.
Balance of nervous processes.
Properties of the nervous system and hormones.
Age-sex features of the manifestation of the properties of the nervous system.
Methodological issues of studying the properties of the nervous system.
"Arbitrary" and "involuntary" methods of studying the properties of the nervous system.
On the methods of observation and questioning in the study of the properties of the nervous system.
Ways to improve the reliability of diagnosing typological features of the manifestation of the properties of the nervous system.
third. individual differences in behavior.
Differences in the manifestation of the properties of temperament.
Extroverted - introverted types.
Rigid - plastic types.
Active - passive types.
Sensitive (sensitive) types.
Relationship of personal characteristics with the properties of the nervous system.
Differences in emotional manifestations.
Emotional - non-emotional types.
Emotionally stable - unstable types.
Modal emotional types.
Optimists are pessimists.
Shy.
Sentimental.
Empathic.
Conscientious.
Touchy.
Angry and aggressive.
Jealous and envious.
motivational differences.
Individual features of motivation.
Two types of people: striving for achievement and avoiding failure.
Differences in self-esteem and level of claims.
Suggestibility, conformity and negativism as individual characteristics that affect the process of motivation.
"Involvement in the task" and gambling as an individual expression of the desire to achieve the goal.
Differences in the manifestation of "willpower".
Patient - impatient.
Persistent and stubborn.
Persistent.
Differences in people's self-control.
Are there "willed" and "willless" people? .
Volitional qualities and properties of the nervous system.
The individuality of a person.
The concept of individuality.
B. G. Ananiev about individuality.
V. S. Merlin's ideas about integral individuality.
Personality and individuality.
fourth. Individual characteristics and activities.
first. Abilities as a predictive criterion for differences between people in terms of performance.
Two approaches to considering abilities.
Brief historical overview of the study of the problem of abilities.
Personal-activity approach to the consideration of abilities.
Functional-genetic approach to the consideration of abilities.
Ability and talent.
Giftedness.
About "general" and "special" abilities and talents.
The connection of abilities and giftedness with a propensity for a certain type of activity.
The role of activity in the manifestation and development of abilities and giftedness.
The connection of abilities with typological features of the manifestation of the properties of the nervous system.
Correlation between the concepts of ability and quality.
Compensation abilities and compensatory relationships.
Are abilities and talent measurable? .
second. Styles of human activity.
General ideas about the style of activity.
The concept of the style of activity.
Factors influencing the choice of style of activity.
Styles of activity and abilities.
Types of styles of activity.
Activity style structure.
Ways and mechanisms of activity style formation.
Style of activity and its effectiveness.
Styles of professional and educational activities.
Styles of industrial activity.
Styles of pedagogical activity.
Sports activity styles.
Styles of activity of musicians-instrumentalists.
Styles of learning activities.
Informational (cognitive) styles and personality types.
cognitive styles.
Dogmatism as an individual psychological characteristic.
Creative personalities.
Special types of higher nervous activity according to IP Pavlov.
Mindset and types of thinking.
About emotional styles.
Leadership and communication styles.
The concept of leadership style.
Classification of leadership styles.
Leadership style and personality traits.
The effectiveness of different leadership styles.
Attitudes of subordinates to different leadership styles.
Communication styles as a reflection of leadership style.
Styles of self-presentation.
parenting styles.
Styles of attachment of children to mother.
the third. success professional activity and properties of the nervous system and temperament.
The effectiveness of the implementation of various activities and typological features.
Efficiency of monotonous activity in connection with typological features.
Performance in extreme situations and typological features.
Operational tension and typological features.
The effectiveness of activities that require concentration and stability of attention, in connection with typological features.
The success of the activities of managers and typological and personal characteristics.
Artistic activity and typological features.
Efficiency of intellectual professional activity and typological features.
Efficiency of group activity and typological features.
Stimulation of the activities of persons with different typological characteristics.
Differential-psychophysiological aspects of becoming a professional.
The role of typological features in the development of a professional.
Differential-psychophysiological aspects of professional orientation and selection.
Individual characteristics and job satisfaction.
Differential-psychophysiological aspects vocational training and workouts.
Professional adaptation of persons with different typological features.
The success of educational activities and typological features.
Typological features and educational progress.
Typological features and success in performing various mental actions.
Receptions and methods of training and education and typological features.
Methodology for studying the relationship between the effectiveness of activity and the typological features of the manifestation of the properties of the nervous system and temperament.
Refusal to divide the typological features of the manifestation of the properties of the nervous system into "good" and "bad".
The need to identify typological complexes.
Adequate understanding of the connections between the properties of the nervous system and the efficiency of activity and behavior.
Accounting for the types of statistical relationships between the properties of the nervous system and the efficiency of activity and behavior.
Accounting for the stage of mastering professional skills.
Usage systems approach when studying the relationship of typological features with the effectiveness of activities.
Principles of predicting the effectiveness of activities by typological features.
fifth. Health and individual characteristics.
Differences in coping strategies (overcoming behavior) and in the use of defense mechanisms.
Coping strategies.
Types of psychological defense mechanisms and individual characteristics of their use.
Typology of personalities according to Kellerman-Plutchik according to the use of a protective mechanism.
Types of reaction to frustration.
Individual features and pathology.
Personality types predisposed to certain diseases.
Personal characteristics and health.
Types of people's attitude to their illness.
Appendix I. Glossary of basic psychological and physiological concepts.
Annex II. Methods for studying individual characteristics.
Methods for identifying types and properties of temperament.
Questionnaire of formal-dynamic properties of individuality (OFDSI) (V. M. Rusalov).
Methodology "Determination of the predominant type of temperament."
Methodology "Rating scale for measuring student reactivity" (J. Strelyau).
Questionnaire "Study of the psychological structure of temperament" (B. N. Smirnov).
Method "Properties and formula of temperament".
Gex's questionnaire for determining the characterological features of a person.
Test "Temperament and sociotypes" (Heymans).
D. Keirsey's technique.
Response form to the D. Keirsey questionnaire.
Test questionnaire for diagnosing the properties and type of temperament (EPQ, form A) (G. Eysenck).
Questionnaire G. Eysenck (teenager).
Methodology for determining the level of personal anxiety (C. Spielberger).
Methodology "Diagnosis of rigidity" (G. Eysenck).
Questionnaire to identify the severity of Machiavellianism.
Questionnaire for assessing the level of infantilism (psychopathy) of the individual.
Questionnaire V. Gerbachevsky to identify the level of claims.
Methods for studying the individual characteristics of the emotional sphere.
Four-modality emotional questionnaire (L. A. Rabinovich).
Methodology "Determination of emotional excitability" (P. V. Simonov).
Methodology "Emotional excitability - balance" (B. N. Smirnov).
Methodology "Determination of emotionality" (V. V. Suvorova).
Self-assessment test "Characteristics of emotionality" (E. P. Ilyin).
Methodology "Diagnosis of the level of empathy" (I. M. Yusupov).
Methodology "Diagnosis of the level of empathy" (V.V. Boyko).
An experimental method for studying empathy.
Methodology "Optimist - pessimist".
Pessimist or optimist test.
Scale of optimism-activity.
Methods for studying the individual characteristics of the motivational sphere.
Methodology "Cognitive orientation (locus of control)" (J. Rotter).
Method "Impulsiveness".
Methodology "Motivation for success" (T. Ehlers).
Methodology "Motivation to avoid failures" (T. Ehlers).
Methodology "Motivation for success and fear of failure" (A. A. Rean).
Methodology "Measuring rationality".
Methodology "Value Orientations" (M. Rokeach).
Questionnaire for the diagnosis of gaming addiction (gambling).
Methods for studying individual characteristics of behavior.
Interpersonal Diagnosis Questionnaire (T. Leary, R. L. Laforge, R. F. Suchek).
A technique for measuring shyness.
Methodology "Tendency to exaltation" (V.V. Boyko).
The Sensation SeeKing Scale by M. Zuckerman (1978).
Questionnaire X. Smishek "Diagnostics of types of accentuation of character traits and temperament according to K. Leonhard."
Test "Egocentric associations".
Methodology "Scale of conscientiousness".
Questionnaire "Auto- and hetero-aggression" (E. P. Ilyin).
Methodology "Diagnosis of propensity to aggressive behavior" (A. Assinger).
Methodology "Conflict personality".
Methodology "Personal aggressiveness and conflict" (E. P. Ilyin, P. A. Kovalev).
Methodology "Aggressive behavior" (E. P. Ilyin, P. A. Kovalev).
Experimental-psychological method of studying the type of frustration reactions.
Methodology "Shyness-shyness scale".
Methodology "Indicator of coping strategies" (D. Amirkhan).
Methods for identifying links between individual characteristics and diseases.
Diagnosis of types of attitude to the disease (TOBOL).
Questionnaire to identify people type A.
Methods for studying the individual characteristics of the volitional sphere.
Questionnaire for self-assessment of patience (E. P. Ilyin, E. K. Feshchenko).
Methods of experimental study of persistence.
Method "Unsolvable problem".
Method N.V. Witt.
Questionnaire for self-assessment of perseverance (E. P. Ilyin, E. K. Feshchenko).
Questionnaire for self-assessment of persistence (E. P. Ilyin, E. K. Feshchenko).
Methods for studying patience during breath holding (M. N. Ilyina, A. I. Vysotsky).
Dynamometric method for studying patience (M. N. Ilyina).
Methodology for identifying the level of courage (G. A. Kalashnikova).
Experimental methods for studying decisiveness (I. P. Petyaikin).
Schubert's Risk Willingness (RSK) methodology.
Scale "Social Courage".
Methods for studying the typological features of the manifestation of the properties of the nervous system.
Methods for studying the strength of the nervous system.
Methods for studying the mobility of nervous processes.
Methods that determine functional mobility through lability.
Methods for studying the balance of nervous processes.
Methods for identifying styles of perceptual-intellectual activity.
Methodology "Analysis by the teacher of the style of his pedagogical activity."
Methods for identifying cognitive styles.
Questionnaire B. Kadyrov to identify the relationship of two signal systems.
E. A. Klimov’s methodology for identifying the correlation of signal systems.
B. B. Kossov’s technique for diagnosing specifically human types higher nervous activity.
Methods for studying leadership styles.
Methodology "Self-assessment of management style".
Methodology "Management Style" (A. L. Zhuravlev).
Methodology "Tendency to a certain style of leadership" (E. P. Ilyin).
Methodology for assessing the level of democratization of management by stylistic characteristics.
Methodology "Diplomatic and authoritarian styles of behavior at a business meeting."
Methodology "Management Style".
Literature.

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