Question

Joyce and Tim both play piano. Joyce is the only member of her family who plays an instrument. Tim's father is a skilled guitarist, and his older sister plays violin. Joyce and Tim have taken piano lessons since they were six years old and plan to continue. Based on what you know about genetics and the environment, who will most likely become a more talented pianist?

A) Joyce will become a more talented pianist.

B) Tim will become a more talented pianist.

C) Neither musician will become very skilled.

D) They will be equally-skilled musicians.

Answer 1

Tim would be the answer because of the genetic build from his parent and sister he would have more genes going for him rather than Joyce because she it the only one. If you are basing this off of genetics but really if we look at this in the real world which one practices more? :)

Answer 2

I forgot to talk about the environment because Tim has a parent and sister that play instruments he will be around music more than that of Joyce.

Answer 3

Ok so from the part of genetics for example, both his parent and his sister play instruments, stringed instrument actually, from genetics that could impact in aspects such as finger strength , endurance, muscle recovery among others, it's not said in there but nutrition also plays a big role in it, and that would account for the enviromment, because certain foods are better to develop muscles

Answer 4

For other part about the environment, growing up guitarist father (and a skilled one) could make the children more adept to music, since it's quite possible that since they were babies they were exposed to music.

Answer 5

And not only music but also musical instruments too, since musicians, specially skilled ones usually play more than one instrument or at least know about more than one.

Answer 6

So yes, Tim would have a lot more probability to become quite a better musician.

Answer 7

@mrdoldum are you saying something because I have to go so you have been typing for a while I would like to hear what you have to say.

Answer 8

Okay, I am going to break with the prohibition of direct answers, because this is a absolutely horrible question.

What we are looking at here is a skill that is developed over time and how genetics can play a role or not. While genetics will certainly play a part in the ability of some one to play the piano, it alone cannot explain or predict how skilled some one will be. Think of Mozart, perhaps the ultimate musical prodigy. Now imagine he never played music until he was 30 and compare this "Mozart" (hence forth Mozart-0) to the real one that was practicing and playing music since his toddler years. Do you think they will be equally as good? What if we took our Mozart-0 and compared him to anyone who has played for decades, then what would you expect? Probably Mozart-0 would be much worse despite the fact that he does seem to have a genetic predilection for music.

Okay, so why is the question back?

@bananas50210

A) Joyce will become a more talented pianist. Why? Yes, she has been practicing for the same amount of time as Tim, but does that really tell us anything about skill?

B) Tim will become a more talented pianist. Why? In terms of amount of practice Joyce and Tim are equal. The question talks about Tim's father. Why? Why should this have a significant predictive power? What if Joyce's father is our Mozart-0 with all the genetic potential but never played an instrument.? Would this make us think Joyce will be better than Tim?

C) Neither musician will become very skilled. How can we know this? What could we possibly use to predict their ability? We simply don't have the information necessary. Maybe they are both terrible even after years of practice, maybe they are not,

D) They will be equally-skilled musicians. Basically same reasoning as "C".

Okay, all that said, I think the best answer is "B". It cannot be "C" or "D" and if we assume that Joyce and Tim are equally dedicated at their practice and the fact that Joyce's family does not play an instrument means none of her family is genetically inclined to music, then we must take "B" as the best answer.