Musicality was not selected for, rather humans have a good reason to learn music

Behav Brain Sci. 2021 Sep 30:44:e62. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X2000134X.

Abstract

We propose that not social bonding, but rather a different mechanism underlies the development of musicality: being unable to survive alone. The evolutionary constraint of being dependent on other humans for survival provides the ultimate driving force for acquiring human faculties such as sociality and musicality, through mechanisms of learning and neural plasticity. This evolutionary mechanism maximizes adaptation to a dynamic environment.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological
  • Biological Evolution
  • Humans
  • Learning
  • Music*
  • Social Behavior