Individual Differences

Write a 5–6-page discussion of practical ways to apply to your life your understanding about individual differences in learning and memory, based on three peer-reviewed research articles that help you understand individual learning differences.

In this assessment, you will be able to apply the knowledge you have gained regarding individual differences and learning and memory in your personal or professional life.

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Capella Multimedia

Click the links provided below to view the following multimedia pieces:

• Learning and Cognition Millionaire Game  |  Transcript.

SHOW LESS

FMG Video

Click the link provided below to view the following video:

• War of the Sexes: Language. 
  • This is a video from Films on Demand. Any distribution of video content or associated links is prohibited.
  • To view an accessible version of this presentation, click Transcript.

Library Resources

The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course:

• Kozhevnikov, M. (2007). Cognitive styles in the context of modern psychology: Toward an integrated framework of cognitive style. Psychological Bulletin, 133(3), 464–481.
• Ackerman, P. L., Bowen, K. R., Beier, M., & Kanfer, R. (2001). Determinants of individual differences and gender differences in knowledge. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93(4), 797–825.
• Cherry, K. E., & LeCompte, D. C. (1999). Age and individual differences influence prospective memory. Psychology and Aging, 14(1), 60–76.
• Horowitz, L. M., & Turan, B. (2008). Prototypes and personal templates: Collective wisdom and individual differences. Psychological Review, 115(4), 1054–1068.
• Oreg, S. & Bayazit, M. (2009). Prone to bias: Development of a bias taxonomy from an individual differences perspective. Review of General Psychology, 13(3), 175–193.

Course Library Guide

A Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the PSYC-FP3500 – Learning and Cognition Library Guide to help direct your research.

Bookstore Resources

The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the Capella University Bookstore. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP (FlexPath) course designation.

• Terry, W. S. (2009). Learning and memory: Basic principles, processes, and procedures (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. 
  • You may find Chapter 12 particularly relevant to the topics in this assessment.

Assessment Instructions

Preparation

Write a 5–6-page discussion of practical ways to apply to your life your understanding about individual differences in learning and memory. Based your discussion on three peer-reviewed research articles that help you understand individual learning differences.

Although many effects in memory and psychology in general are presented as universal, applying to everyone at all times and at all places, there are important differences among individuals in how they process and recall information. For instance, demographic differences such as age, gender, and culture of origin may have an impact on how we remember; other dimensions of individual difference may be intelligence, creativity, and motivation. Some of these differences are related to biology, others are related to the social environment, and some are related to both.

As you prepare for this assessment, research how one of these variables will change how people experience a learning situation—for example, learning a foreign language, remembering the names of people at a party, or studying for a biology exam or other academic test. Think how this dimension could explain the differences between your own experiences and those of others you know.

Directions

For this assessment, complete the following:

1. Describe a learning context of interest—for example, learning a foreign language, studying for an exam, or remembering names at a party. Feel free to use an example from one of the other assessments in the course. Describe the types of memory and learning involved and the memory and learning problems involved (for instance, problems with memory such as forgetting, amnesia, and the tip-of-the-tongue effect).
2. Write up a brief, hypothetical case study where two people learn and experience a learning situation differently. Note that you can contrast circumstances involving memory deficits and also circumstances of exceptional performance. Difference should be related to the dimensions of individual difference addressed in step 1, above.
3. Find at least three peer-reviewed articles reporting an empirical study (including methods, measures, and results) that help you understand individual learning differences. In other words, how could the result change due to individual differences such age, gender, or culture? Summarize these sources. Apply the scholarship you have found to explain how the individuals in your case study learn and remember differently.
4. Describe the methods, measures, and results reported in the research to help understand individual learning differences.
5. How would you apply the knowledge you have gained regarding individual differences and learning and memory in your personal or professional life?

Strive to be as concise as possible and limit the length of your completed assessment to 5–6 pages, in addition to the title page and references page. Support your statements and analyses with references and citations from at least three resources.

Additional Requirements

• Include a title page and a reference page.
• Use at least three resources.
• Follow APA format.
• Note: You may use the APA Paper Template linked in the Resources. This resource is not required.
• Use 12-point, Times New Roman font.
• Double-space your paper.

Individual Differences Scoring Guide

CRITERIANON-PERFORMANCEBASICPROFICIENTDISTINGUISHEDSummarize scholarly research articles.Does not summarize scholarly research articles.Partially summarizes scholarly research articles, but the summaries are incomplete. Summarizes scholarly research articles.Summarizes the key points of scholarly research articles in a clear and concise manner. Apply research findings to a particular case.Does not apply research findings to a particular case.Attempts to apply research findings to a particular case, but the application is incomplete or inappropriate to the situation.Applies research findings to a particular case.Applies research findings to a particular case and supports conclusions with a strong rationale. Describe the methods and measures used in research that seeks to understand individual learning differences.Does not identify the methods and measures used in research that seeks to understand individual learning differences.Identifies the methods and measures used in research that seeks to understand individual learning differences, but provides little or no description. Describes the methods and measures used in research that seeks to understand individual learning differences.Describes the methods and measures used in research that seeks to understand individual learning differences and supports conclusions with examples.Apply knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior.Does not apply knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior.Attempts to apply knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior, but the application is incomplete or inappropriate to the situation. Applies knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior.Applies knowledge of theory and research in learning and cognition to inform personal and professional behavior and supports conclusions with a strong rationale. Write coherently to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.Writing does not support a central idea. Does not use correct grammar, usage, and mechanics as expected of a psychology professional.Writes to support an idea but is inconsistent and contains numerous errors of grammar, usage, and mechanics.Writes to coherently support a central idea with few errors of grammar, usage, and mechanics.Writes coherently, using evidence to support a central idea with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics, as expected of a psychology professional. Successfully implement APA style.Does not apply proper APA formatting and style.Written communication is adequate but has some APA errors and inconsistencies.Successfully implements APA style with only minor errors in format.Applies scholarly writing skills, and uses proper APA formatting and style in the body of the paper and references list.