Aptitude and talent in various fields, such as intelligence, creativity, and athleticism, are attributed to genetic factors. For example, drawing, playing an instrument, or dancing may come more naturally to some people than to others.
Studies have shown that genetic factors underlie 30 to 80 percent of the differences among individuals in traits related to athletic performance. There are more than 200 genetic variations found to be associated with athletic performance, with many more that are yet to be discovered.
Talent is not taught, it's a natural ability to see or do something in a certain way. But skill is something that we have become good at and love doing but have been taught. It's taken hours, days, weeks, months, years to master. It's something that you get better at over time and that you desire to do and master.
As Matt Ridley notes: "Genes are the mechanisms of experience." Talent develops through the interaction of genes and the environment. Talent and practice are complementary, not at odds.
As individuals, we vary widely in the level of our thinking skills, or 'cognitive function'. We inherit cognitive function from our parents, in the same way that physical characteristics are passed down. Scientists have discovered that, unlike eye colour, cognitive function is not influenced by a few genes but by many.
This bodes with the actual definition of natural talent: “an innate or inborn gift for a specific activity, either allowing one to demonstrate some immediate skill without practice, or to gain skill rapidly with minimal practice.”
As adults, many of us feel we know what we're good (and not so good) at. But the truth is we all have hidden talents—the skills we possess that we never knew we had. We're just not always so adept at identifying what they are. Sometimes they can be right in front of us, and we miss them.
Talented individuals think of themselves as being able to manage time, meet deadlines, and find ways to break down formidable tasks into smaller and manageable pieces. They produce prime results because they are committed to making sure that each and every piece makes it to the finish line – finishing power.
Some people are born with greater potential, but without hard work and practising their talent will come to nothing. Music is a good example, with some evidence of genetic differences. For example, a study of 500 twins found that 80 per cent of tone deafness is inherited.
Genetics and inheritance do have some influence on the abilities and talents that our children will inherit. New research has confirmed that inheritance doesn't only happen through DNA though, but also through epigenetic inheritance.
Some people believe that you need to be born with talent in order to be a good artist, but this is not true. Anyone can learn to draw or paint with enough practice. Some of the most famous artists in history were not born with talent, but they practiced regularly and became great artists.
You're born with it or without it, and supposedly you can neither gain it nor lose it. Talent isn't learned or developed; it's discovered by the lucky owner or by others who are observant. However, one needs both natural ability and hard work to become successful.
Key Difference: Intelligence is one who is clever and quick at understanding. On the other hand, Talent is a special ability or cleverness which one has in oneself. Intelligence and talent, both are known as the person's good knowledge or ability. The words are used to appreciate or encourage.
Talents Are Inherited / Gifts Are Received
This is perhaps the biggest and most important difference. Natural talents are those abilities inherited from one's parents and nurtured in the context of one's family.
Among the traits found most strongly determined by heredity were ambition, vulnerability to stress (neuroticism), leadership, risk-seeking, a sense of well-being and, surprisingly, respect for authority.
According to the experts, the average person has up to 700 skills ready to be used at any time! You don't need to excel at a skill to claim you have it. If you feel you're competent or you perform the skill as well as most people, you have that skill.
There is a difference between a child who is smart or bright and one that is gifted. All gifted children can and are considered to be bright, but not all bright children can be considered gifted.
Mildly gifted: 115 to 129. Moderately gifted: 130 to 144. ighly gifted: 145 to 159. Exceptionally gifted: 160 +
While we like to think everyone is special, some people have extraordinary abilities — intellectual, artistic, social, or athletic. Many experts believe only 3 to 5 percent of the population is gifted, though some estimates reach 20 percent.
Talented people are resourceful and prepared for anything
Someone who is talented will always be prepared for any situation. Not everyone has the ability to think and act on the spot. They know their resume inside out. They answer every question during an interview without stumbling over their thoughts.
You're a perfectly capable human
But without a doubt, there are people who just pick up things easier than others. In fact, writes David Hambrick, psychology professor at Michigan State University, “Some people take much more training than other people to acquire a given level of skill.”
A prodigy is someone who is so naturally talented at something that they become a master of that particular skill as a child — you can be a musical prodigy or a math prodigy.
People perceive talent as something that will bring them happiness and success in life. The truth is a small number of people are born with extraordinary talents, and if this is not you, it's not a reason for you to feel bad. There are lots of things to do and here are 15 tips that can help you cope!