The Hidden Talents Approach: Theoretical and Methodological Challenges

It is well established that people living in adverse conditions tend to score lower on a variety of social and cognitive tests. However, recent research shows that people may also develop ‘hidden talents’, that is, mental abilities that are enhanced through adversity. The hidden talents program sets out to document these abilities, their development, and their manifestations in different contexts. Although this approach has led to new insights and findings, it also comes with theoretical and methodological challenges. Here, we discuss six of these challenges. We conclude that the hidden talents approach is promising, but there is much scope for refining ideas and testing assumptions. We discuss our goal to advance this research program with integrity despite the current incentives in science. The hidden talents approach investigates social and cognitive abilities that are enhanced through adversity; this approach has led to new findings; however, it also comes with theoretical and methodological challenges.Hidden talents may include the ability to detect and memorize threats, find creative solutions, understand other people, and deal with changing environments.To date, some results support the hidden talents approach, others contradict it, and still others provide mixed evidence; thus, there is much scope for future research to advance knowledge.Formal theory and empirical studies should explore how specific forms of adversity shape mental abilities in different ways, and how impairment and adaptation interact.The study of cognitive development in adverse conditions is moving towards a well-rounded view that includes impairments, compensatory strategies, and enhanced abilities.