How did changing ideas on the role of the individual affect the way scientists began to understand the physical world? (5 points) greater emphasis on the role of the individual encouraged renaissance thinkers to concentrate for long periods of time on a single thought. greater emphasis on the role of the individual encouraged scientists to consider explanations of the natural world outside of scripture or traditional church teachings. by raising the importance of the individual, scholars were able to take the control over learning out of the hands of the monks. by raising the importance of the individual, scientists could focus on the biological functions of individual persons.