Aptitude (redirected from aptitudes)

aptitude [′ap·tə‚tüd]

(psychology)

The natural inclination or capacity for skillful performance of an as yet unlearned task.

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Aptitude 

a high level of development of a person’s capabilities, allowing him to achieve particular success in one or another pursuit.

A distinction is made between general and specific aptitudes, or between general and specific aspects of aptitude. Thus, with a general intellectual aptitude, all types of activity requiring intellectual qualities for their successful realization may be mastered. A specific aptitude is linked with the type of activity in whose pursuit it reveals itself most fully; examples are mathematical, technical, musical, artistic, and poetic aptitudes.

The chief indications of exceptional aptitude are early manifestation of abilities and rapid mastery of knowledge: the person possessing such qualities develops an interest in and an inclination for a certain activity, becomes skilled in it, and in its pursuit manifests originality and creativity.