In the 1980s there has been increasing recognition that other factors may be involved such as innate ability, motivation and other psychological factors. Great caution should however be taken in interpreting official texts defining the scope of human development. Whilst great insights can apparently be embodied in them, these tend in practice to be used for rhetorical purposes or in a totally reductionistic manner. It is then able to conclude that in fact economic and social questions are so closely interwoven that there is hardly any sense in making the distinction between them. The remainder of the report identifies methods of increasing production and income.
Development is in effect generally accepted as meaning first and foremost economic development.