Beliefs about the origins of musical characteristics

Though people dance, sing, and interact musically all across the world, there is substantial individual variation in musical abilities. What accounts for these differences - talent, practice, or opportunity? The present study investigates lay beliefs about the origins of musicality. A sample of undergraduates at a small, North American, English-speaking university (N = 83) reported their beliefs about musical characteristics. First, participants were asked to give open-ended explanations based on prompts about musical attributes (musicianship, singing, dancing, sense of rhythm, and emotional responses) and non-musical attributes (e.g., athleticism, personality, intelligence). Second, participants rated (1-5) how much genetic (e.g., inheritance), environmental (e.g., parent support), and personal choice (e.g., effort) factors explained those same attributes. In open-ended explanations, participants emphasized personal choices, but also noted genetic factors for singing and rhythmic sense, and environmental factors for emotional responses to music. Participants consistently rated personal choices highest and genetic factors lowest in importance. Again, genetic contributions were considered to be stronger for singing and rhythm than other musical attributes. Overall, participants emphasized practice and effort, but had nuanced beliefs about contributions of genetic and environmental factors to different musical characteristics.