ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the impact of holding mutually exclusive nature vs. nurture conceptualizations of ability on motivational, affective, and behavioural outcomes, as well as their influence on learning motor skills. It also discusses how a person's beliefs about ability, and the modifiability of those beliefs, may impact others and the efficacy of talent identification and development (TID) in sport. The chapter then discusses the interpersonal influence of ability beliefs, and the parallels between research on ability beliefs and predictive accuracy, both with implications for TID. Psychological research literature suggests people tend to have a dominant mindset of ability in a particular domain. However, research on physical abilities suggests an 'examination of belief permutations and their motivational correlates' may be necessary. Finally, the chapter concludes with suggestions for future research and some unique considerations for how to conceptualize the nature of physical abilities.
