Motivation, musical practice, and the family's interest in music predict musical competence (perceiving and contextualizing music) and competence beliefs in music

Abstract

This study investigates possible effects on musical competence (perceiving and contextualizing music). The study has an exploratory focus and aims to identify relevant variables and their correlations. In light of the ‘nature-or-nurture’ discourse, several factors have been identified as relevant for musical achievement. Current theories of musical achievement describe an interaction between natural abilities and intrapersonal/environmental catalysts. The study focuses on two intrapersonal catalysts (competence beliefs in music, motivation of music-related action) and environmental catalysts (the family’s interest in music, out of school musical practice). A sample of year seven students (n = 600) from nine different schools were used to calculate Path Analyses. Analyses prove music-related interests of the family as a predictor and motivation of music-related action as a mediator; correlations also result between musical competence (perceiving and contextualizing music) and competence beliefs in music.