Aptitude

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An aptitude is a component of a competence to do a certain kind of work at a certain level. Outstanding aptitude can be considered "talent", or "skill". Aptitude is inborn potential to perform certain kinds of activities, whether physical or mental, and whether developed or undeveloped. Aptitude is often contrasted with skills and abilities, which are developed through learning.^[1] The mass term ability refers to components of competence acquired through a combination of both aptitude and skills.

According to Gladwell (2008)^[2] and Colvin (2008),^[3] it is often difficult to set apart the influence of talent from the influence of hard training in the case of outstanding performances. Howe, Davidson, and Sloboda argue that talents are acquired rather than innate.^[4] Talented individuals generally show high levels of competence immediately in only a narrow range of activities,^[5] often comprising only a single direction or genre.