INNATE TALENTS - REALITY OR MYTH

Talents that selectively facilitate the acquisition of high levels of skill are said to be present in some children but not others. The evid ence for this includes biological correlates of specific abilities, ce rtain rare abilities in autistic savants, and the seemingly spontaneou s emergence of exceptional abilities in young children, but there is a lso contrary evidence indicating an absence of early precursors of hig h skill levels. An analysis of positive and negative evidence and argu ments suggests that differences in early experiences, preferences, opp ortunities, habits, training, and practice are the real determinants o f excellence.