The (Co)Evolution of Language and Music Under Human Self-Domestication

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Cognitive science
• Musicology

Background:

• Music and language are distinctive human traits.
• Existing hypotheses on music evolution lack comprehensive explanations.
• The self-domestication theory offers a novel perspective on human evolution.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a new model for music evolution based on human self-domestication.
• To link cognitive changes and cultural mechanisms to music complexification.
• To outline stages in music evolution driven by reduced aggression.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical modeling integrating self-domestication with music evolution.
• Comparative analysis with language evolution models.
• Hypothesizing developmental stages of music based on aggression reduction.

Main Results:

• Self-domestication, characterized by reduced reactive aggression, is proposed as a driver for music evolution.
• Four stages of music evolution are hypothesized: protomusic, private/timbre-focused, small-group/pitch-focused, and collective/tonal.
• This model accounts for the diversity of global music genres and parallels language development.

Conclusions:

• Music evolution is intricately linked to the human self-domestication process.
• Reduced reactive aggression and enhanced cultural niche construction fostered music's complexification.
• The proposed stages provide a framework for understanding the origins and diversity of human music.