Special Abilities
In addition to general mental ability, children often exhibit special abilities. Through aptitude tests we are able to measure potentials in fine arts, mechanical skills, and other special talents. Interests are important in developing abilities.
One reason we find so many individual differences in interests is we all have individual differences in abilities. Children change their interests for much the same reasons that adults do, although they change more often. Whereas adults soon get set in their ways and follow through on their interests routinely, children are bombarded with so many changes in their environment, so many new acquisitions of skills, and so many opportunities for trying out new activities that they show many shifts in their interests.
