Ability is a conceptually broad term referring to possession of the talents and skills necessary to perform a current task. This assumes therefore that any learning or developmental processes necessary have already been attained.
Ability may be:
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General synonyms[]
Skills, abilities, and aptitudes are similarly related but distinct, descriptions of what a person can do, and should not be conflated.
- Skills are a backward looking description. Skills describe what a person has learned to do in the past.
- Abilities are a present description. Abilities describe what a person can do now.
- Aptitudes are a forward looking description. Aptitudes describe what a person has the ability to do in the future. They describe what a person can learn to do.
Other related concepts are:
- Capability
- Competence
- Competence (human resources)
- Disability
- Performance
- Ability level
- Achievement potential
Intellectual ability[]
- Main article: Intelligence and ability
Intelligence tests generally measure ability both in terms of general ability as well as specific abilities. They can sometimes also be used to predict aptitude for future learning.
- Intelligence
- Expertise
- Academic aptitude
- Cognitive ability
- Learning ability
- Reading ability
- Reading skills
- Creativity
- Gifted
- Idiot savants
Social and communication abilities[]
- Communication skills
- Employee skills
- Nonverbal ability
- Resource acquisition ability
- Social skills
Nonverbal ability[]
- Artistic ability
- Mathematical ability
- Mechanical aptitude
- Motor skills
- Spatial ability
- Spatial visualization ability
Physical abilities[]
Other abilities[]
Assessment[]
See also[]
- Ableism
- Ability grouping in education settings
- Achievement potential
- Differential Model of Giftedness and Talent
- Mixed ability
- Performance
