Music lessons and intelligence: executive functions as possible mediators

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In the last years researchers demonstrated several specific links between music lessons and various specific cognitive abilities. This huge amount of specific links led Schellenberg (2004,2006) to the conclusion that a domain general cognitive ability is influenced by music lessons and explains all the specific links. Indeed Schellenberg (2004) showed that music lessons enhance IQ. However, the nature of this association remains unclear: Do music lessons directly influence IQ or is it an indirect influence that is mediated by another cognitive ability? Potential mediators are executive functions. However, recent correlational studies revealed controversial results. Therefore, the ultimate goal of the current project is to investigate the role of executive functions for the influence of music lessons on IQ. Two questions should be clarified. First, the question whether the influence of music lessons on IQ is mediated by executive functions in a sample of 5- to 7-year-old children should be investigated. Therefore, it needs to be shown that music lessons enhance executive functions and that this enhancement explains the influence of music lessons on IQ. To answer this question firmly two experiments will be conducted. An experimental design will solve the matter of causation. With the second experiment differential effects of music lessons on executive functions will be investigated. Hence, 5- to 6-year-old children will be trained with music programs that focus either on rhythmic activities or singing. Thus, it will be possible to compare the effects different musical activities might have on executive functions.