Conceptual ambiguity surrounds notions of gifted and talented; justification for talent development is often linked with rejection of the term gifted. Talent development should mean identification of those who show superior natural abilities as well as aptitudes for a particular domain and emphasis on developing those special skills. (SK)

The base of the talent development pyramid is personality attributes; the second level is the minimum intellectual competence necessary for functioning in the domain. At the apex is specific talent in a domain. All three are influenced by genetics, home/family, school, community/culture, gender differences, and chance. (SK)