Abstract
The study of individual differences is concerned with understanding the variations from person to person, such as through personality and cognition and how these differences are related to human behaviour. Fundamental to the study of individual differences has been the measurement of variation utilising a range of assessment and evaluation techniques. This chapter focuses on how an understanding of individual differences may contribute to building the professional capacities of individuals and groups. It utilises three educational research data sets to explore how individual differences in professional identity, teacher self-efficacy and personality preferences relate to the learning; teaching and research capacities and capabilities of individuals and groups in a range of educational contexts, and the value and limitations of an individual differences approach to researching capacity-building.