What is a cluster of highly interrelated attributes such as critical thinking skills and deductive reasoning abilities called?

The term that describes a cluster of highly interrelated attributes, including critical thinking skills and deductive reasoning abilities, is competencies. Competencies encompass not just the skills and abilities necessary to perform tasks effectively, but also the personal characteristics, knowledge, and behaviors that contribute to an individual's performance in a job role.

Competencies are broader in scope compared to traits, skills, or behaviors, as they integrate multiple aspects of an individual, including cognitive and emotional factors. This holistic approach allows organizations to evaluate an individual’s overall effectiveness in various situations, making competencies essential for defining performance standards and success in the workplace.

Traits refer to more stable and enduring characteristics of an individual, while skills are often seen as specific learned abilities to perform tasks. Behaviors can include how someone acts in a given situation but do not necessarily encompass the full range of attributes that competencies represent. Thus, competencies best capture the combination of knowledge, skills, and personal attributes that lead to effective performance.