Tanvi and Meera, both 16, scored almost the same on a general intelligence test given by their school counsellor in Jaipur. Both joined the same six-month tabla course and practised for the same number of hours each week. Both said they enjoyed music and wanted to perform at the school's annual function. By the end of the course, Tanvi could play complex rhythms with ease, while Meera still struggled with the basic patterns despite her effort. The counsellor now wants to understand why two equally bright girls progressed so differently.
Which psychological attribute best explains the difference between Tanvi's and Meera's progress?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Aptitude
Option (1) Interest — Incorrect. Interest is a preference for a particular activity. Both girls enjoyed music and wanted to perform, so their interest was alike and cannot explain the gap.
Option (2) Intelligence — Incorrect. Intelligence is a general mental ability, the global capacity to understand the world and think rationally. Both girls scored almost the same on the intelligence test, so it does not explain why one learnt tabla much faster.
Option (3) Personality — Incorrect. Personality is the set of relatively enduring characteristics that make a person distinct, such as being outgoing or withdrawn. It explains how a person usually behaves.
Option (4) Aptitude — Correct. Aptitude is a special ability in a particular field. It shows a person's capacity to acquire a specific skill after training. With equal intelligence, interest and practice, Tanvi's quicker progress points to her higher aptitude for music.
Note: Intelligence tests measure a general mental ability; aptitude tests measure the potential to succeed in one particular field.
NCERT (2026-27): “Aptitude : Nature and Measurement “… These specific skills and abilities are called aptitudes. With proper training these abilities can be considerably enhanced. In order to be successful in a particular field, a person must have both aptitude and interest. Interest is a preference for a particular activity; aptitude is the potentiality to perform that activity. A person may be interested in a particular job or activity, but may not have the aptitude for it. …” |