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Revisiting the association between music lessons and intelligence: Training effects or music aptitude?

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  • Swaminathan, Swathi
  • Schellenberg, E. Glenn
  • Khalil, Safia

Abstract

We examined whether the link between intelligence and musical expertise is better explained by formal music lessons or music aptitude. Musically trained and untrained adults completed tests of nonverbal intelligence (Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices) and music aptitude (Musical Ear Test). They also provided information about their history of music lessons and socioeconomic status (SES). Duration of music training was associated positively with SES (mother's education), nonverbal intelligence, melody aptitude, and rhythm aptitude. Intelligence and music aptitude were also positively associated. The association between music training and intelligence remained evident after controlling for SES, but it disappeared after controlling for music aptitude. By contrast, music aptitude had a strong correlation with intelligence even after accounting for music training and SES. Thus, the association between music training and intelligence may arise because high-functioning individuals are more likely than other individuals to have good aptitude for music and to take music lessons.

Suggested Citation

  • Swaminathan, Swathi & Schellenberg, E. Glenn & Khalil, Safia, 2017. "Revisiting the association between music lessons and intelligence: Training effects or music aptitude?," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 119-124.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:intell:v:62:y:2017:i:c:p:119-124
    DOI: 10.1016/j.intell.2017.03.005
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    1. ., 2013. "Intellectual property rights," Chapters, in: Law and Economics for Civil Law Systems, chapter 9, pages 299-372, Edward Elgar Publishing.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jonathan Daniel Gómez-Zapata & Luis César Herrero-Prieto & Beatriz Rodríguez-Prado, 2021. "Does music soothe the soul? Evaluating the impact of a music education programme in Medellin, Colombia," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 45(1), pages 63-104, March.
    2. Zyxcban G. Wolfs & Saskia Brand-Gruwel & Henny P. A. (Els) Boshuizen, 2023. "Assessing Tonal Abilities in Elementary School Children: Testing Reliability and Validity of the Implicit Tonal Ability Test Using Rasch Measurement Model," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, September.
    3. de Manzano, Örjan & Ullén, Fredrik, 2021. "Domain specific traits predict achievement in music and multipotentiality," Intelligence, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).

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