Which term refers to the process in which skills and potential emerge independent of practice or training?

The term that refers to the process in which skills and potential emerge independent of practice or training is maturation. Maturation indicates the natural progression of development that occurs as a result of biological and genetic factors. This means that certain skills or abilities can unfold as an individual ages or develops physically, regardless of external experiences or learning.

For instance, a child may learn to walk or speak at specific developmental milestones due to maturation, which involves the unfolding of physical and cognitive abilities that have a biological basis. This process is largely influenced by genetics and does not rely on practice or training, differentiating it from concepts like development and growth, which often include learning and environmental influences.

Other options such as development, growth, and progression involve learning, experience, and sometimes external interactions, which contrast with the innate nature of maturation.