We already know that even modest amounts of statistical training can have a big impact... and we have little basis for predicting how much more improvement is feasible. - Ziva Kunda and Richard E. Nisbett, 1986, p. 222
In their simplest form individual differences may be thought of as classification schemes that can be used to explain or controls for differential findings among groups. Yet, as will be discussed, there is more to this process than simply selecting variables that offer a high degree of explanatory power on any particular dataset. To understand the use of individual differences in practice and research, it is first necessary to consider how the theoretical sources of individual differences can influence its application. Once the origin has been examined, a discussion of how individual differences can be used to meet the objectives of modern social sciences is laid out, followed by a review of what types of individuals are most common in statistics education, and are thus likely to be of interest for statistics educators developing courses in online environments.