In this episode of Between Two Psychs, Adam McCartney and Mike Lane explore one of the most fundamental yet often overlooked aspects of school life: Individual Differences.
From personality traits and identity development to group dynamics, belonging and routine, they unpack how children understand themselves, how they fit into a group, and how teachers shape that journey every single day.
Drawing on psychological frameworks including the Big Five personality model, Self-Determination Theory, Tajfel’s social identity research, Bandura’s social learning theory, Bruner’s narrative identity, and early years work by Rogers and Dan Siegel, Adam and Mike show how inclusion is built in the subtle everyday moments: acceptance, modelling, routine, and relationships.
This episode moves beyond labels or “learning styles” and examines the deeper question behind them:
How do we create classrooms where every child feels seen, valued and able to be themselves without losing the cohesion that helps groups thrive?
Through real school casework, practical examples, and warm reflection, they explore the challenges teachers face in balancing thirty personalities, diverse needs, and a curriculum and the surprising power of shared experiences, role play, collaborative tasks, and even simple rituals to build identity and belonging.In this episode, we discuss:
✨ Why “individual differences” are really about identity, personality, and development
✨ How the Big Five traits show up in everyday classroom behaviours
✨ Why unconditional positive regard helps children feel safe, grounded, and ready to learn
✨ How threat, trust and emotional safety connect to identity formation
✨ What in-group/out-group dynamics look like in real classrooms
✨ How social challenges escalate and how relational approaches reduce conflict
✨ Why modelling is powerful: identity through Bandura’s social learning theory
✨ The role of play, role-play and shared roles (builder/leader/worker) in forming identity
✨ How collaborative and multimodal teaching supports mixed personalities
✨ The impact of narrative: why what children say about themselves matters
✨ Why routine isn’t only about predictability it’s about shared experience
✨ How routine and rhythm build group identity and belonging
Practical strategies for teachers:
This episode invites educators to reflect on:
How do we cultivate classrooms where differences aren’t just accommodated they’re celebrated?
Where every child feels part of something bigger, yet confidently themselves?
Because when children experience belonging, safety, acceptance and clarity, their identity can flourish and so can their learning.
Connect with Mike Lane
Website: https://www.ridgewaypsychology.co.uk/
LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-lane-4304a3123
Connect with Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dradammcartney/
Website: https://www.dradammccartney.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartney