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'''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''' is a conceptually broad term referring to possession of the talents and skills necessary to perform a task
 
 
   
 
'''Ability''' may be:
 
'''Ability''' may be:
   
 
==General synonyms==
 
==General synonyms==
  +
[[Skill]]s, [[abilities]], and [[aptitude]]s are similarly related but distinct, descriptions of what a person can do, and should not be conflated.
* [[Aptitude]]
 
  +
*'''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]]
  +
* [[Competence (human resources)]]
  +
* [[Disability]]
 
* [[Performance]]
 
* [[Performance]]
 
* [[Ability level]]
 
* [[Ability level]]
 
* [[Achievement potential]]
 
* [[Achievement potential]]
* [[Talent]]
 
* [[Skills]]
 
   
 
==Intellectual ability==
 
==Intellectual ability==
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{{Main|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]]
 
* [[Intelligence]]
 
* [[Expertise]]
 
* [[Expertise]]
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* [[Cognitive ability]]
 
* [[Cognitive ability]]
 
* [[Learning ability]]
 
* [[Learning ability]]
  +
* [[Reading ability]]
 
* [[Reading skills]]
 
* [[Reading skills]]
 
* [[Creativity]]
 
* [[Creativity]]
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==Social and communication abilities==
 
==Social and communication abilities==
* [[Communications skills]]
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* [[Communication skills]]
 
* [[Employee skills]]
 
* [[Employee skills]]
 
* [[Nonverbal ability]]
 
* [[Nonverbal ability]]
  +
* [[Resource acquisition ability]]
 
* [[Social skills]]
 
* [[Social skills]]
  +
  +
==Nonverbal ability==
  +
* [[Artistic ability]]
  +
* [[Mathematical ability]]
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* [[Mechanical aptitude]]
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* [[Motor skills]]
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* [[Spatial ability]]
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* [[Spatial visualization ability]]
   
 
==Physical abilities==
 
==Physical abilities==
  +
* [[Balance (ability)]]
 
* [[Self care skills]]
 
* [[Self care skills]]
* [[Physical ability]]
+
* [[Physical agility]]
 
* [[Skill]]
 
* [[Skill]]
   
  +
==Other abilities==
  +
* [[Activities of daily living]]
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* [[Chronesthesia]]
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* [[Navigation]]
   
  +
==Assessment==
'''Ability''' may also refer to:
 
* [[Ability grouping]] in education settings
+
* [[Ability tests]]
* [[Ability level]]
+
* [[Adaptive testing]]
 
* [[Aptitude measures]]
   
=See also==
+
==See also==
* [[Performance]]
+
* [[Ableism]]
  +
* [[Ability grouping]] in education settings
 
* [[Achievement potential]]
 
* [[Achievement potential]]
  +
* [[Differential Model of Giftedness and Talent]]
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* [[Mixed ability]]
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* [[Performance]]
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[[Category:Ability]]
   
[[Category:Skills]]
 
   
 
{{Disambig}}
 
{{Disambig}}

Latest revision as of 23:22, 10 October 2013

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:

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:

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.

Social and communication abilities

Nonverbal ability

Physical abilities

Other abilities

Assessment

See also