Describe the concept of Individual Difference and throw light on Nature-Nurture controversy.

Concept of Individual Differences and the 'Nature vs. Nurture' Controversy:

1. Conceptual Overview:
In differential psychology, Individual Differences refer to the enduring psychological, cognitive, physiological, and behavioral variations that distinguish one individual from another (pioneered by Sir Francis Galton).

2. The Nature vs. Nurture Controversy:

• The Nature Paradigm (Heredity / Biological Determinism):
  • Proponents (Galton, Arthur Jensen) argue that intelligence, baseline temperament, and personality archetypes are genetically hardwired at conception.
  • Empirical Evidence: Monozygotic (identical) twin studies reared apart demonstrate high statistical correlations in IQ and behavioral traits.
• The Nurture Paradigm (Environmental Socialization):
  • Behaviorists (John Locke's Tabula Rasa, John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner) contend that human development is shaped predominantly by post-natal environment, nutrition, parental attachment, schooling, and socioeconomic culture.
  • Watson's famous aphorism: "Give me a dozen healthy infants... and I'll guarantee to train them into any specialist—doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, or thief."

3. Contemporary Epigenetic Synthesis:
Modern psychology views personality as an indissoluble interaction: Development = Heredity × Environment (R.S. Woodworth). Genetics establishes the biological 'reaction range' (potential ceiling/floor), while environmental stimuli determine where within that range the individual actually functions.

4. Administrative Applications: Essential for competency mapping, targeted civil service training, educational pedagogy, and designing differentiated affirmative action policies.