... various cultures. Thus, generalizations and comparisons regarding personality are able to be made relating to various population groups. These generalizations and comparisons rely on measurements taking place and being validated. The measurements are those of individual differences. Psychometrics measures the individual differences using tests that are constructed to high standards of reliability and validity. Galton was indeed a pioneer in this regard. He researched individual differences through a sensory motor approach. This in turn led to the first intelligence tests of Binet and Simon (1905). Thus psychometrics was born. In this way personality research within psychology may be seen as empirical and scientific. Statistics are utilised to test the hypotheses. It should be noted at this point that personality is described through these hypotheses - the causes of personality involve a separate discussion entirely. (Mapping Psychology Chapter 5, pages 290 - 294) The individual differences perspective to personality uses personality traits ...

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