Read this article to learn about the meaning, assumptions and nature of aptitude.
Meaning of Aptitude:
In the present situation aptitude is confined to the potentialities for the future. An aptitude isn’t an ability rather a special ability. But it helps to predict the probable development of certain abilities. An aptitude isn’t inborn. It is a combination of in-born capacities and developed abilities and skills etc. Such combinations of in born capacities and acquired abilities make the person what he is at any given time and predicts what he may become.
“An aptitude is a condition or set of characteristics regarded as symptomatic of an individual’s ability to acquire with training some knowledge and skill onset of responses such as the ability to speak a language or to practice music etc.” —Warren
“Aptitude is a present condition which is indicative of an individual’s potentialities for the future.” —Traxler
“Aptitude is a measure of the probable rate of learning which results in interest and satisfaction and is relatively specific and narrow.” —Van Dunsen
“Aptitude has been defined by Jones as, “A measure of the probability of the success of an individual, with training in a certain type of situation-a job, in school or in such activities as playing the violin or learning a language.” —Jone S
So aptitude test or tests of special ability predicts about an individual whether he will be successful in a particular area or field if trained. It is the present ability of an individual to perform a special work successfully.
Assumptions Regarding Concept of Aptitude:
Bingham states that the concept of aptitude lies in three assumptions:
(i) An individual’s potentialities are not equally strong.
(ii) Individuals differ from one another in their potentialities.
(iii) Many of these differences are stable.
Nature of Aptitudes:
Aptitude is vested with the following nature of it:
1. An aptitude is a unique combination of abilities and personality characteristics which predisposes a person to do one kind of work better than another and increases his chances of success at it.
2. An aptitude is not a unitary trait of human personality.
3. An aptitude is largely acquired though in many cases. It is inborn in nature.