Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-tnzcf Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-12T16:24:18.422Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Talent: Don't confuse necessity with sufficiency, or science with policy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 1998

Ellen Winner
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02167 ellen.winner@bc.edu
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the 'Save PDF' action button.

Howe et al. fail to provide evidence that practice is sufficient and ignore evidence of high ability before instruction. They unsuccessfully discount savants; provide weak evidence against heritability of music, criticize retrospective evidence selectively, using it when it supports their position; and ultimately both accept and deny talent. Finally, they conflate a scientific question with one of policy.

Information

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
© 1998 Cambridge University Press