an individual learns only a small portion of his cultural habits

[FONT=&#48148]2019-3, 12 grade mock test, 37
Music is a specialized branch of learning, at least as it applies to the musician. While we might expect that members of society who take part in singing only as members of a larger group may learn their music through imitation, musicianship, seen as a special skill, usually requires more directed learning.
[/FONT][FONT=&#46027]It may be added that in any society an individual learns only a small portion of his cultural habits by free trial* and *error, for in this way he would learn only those habits which were most rewarding to him and to him alone.[/FONT][FONT=&#46027]
Such indiscriminate and selfish learning cannot be allowed by society; the individual must learn behavior which is specified in the culture as being correct or best. Such behavior is, of course, the result of the learning process as carried on by previous generations.
[/FONT][FONT=&#46027]Behaviors which are successful have persisted in the form of customs, while those which are unsuccessful have suffered extinction. This accumulation of adaptive habits is passed on to the child; he does not simply learn through imitation how to get along in the world; rather, he is enculturated.[/FONT]

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This wring is confusing as in some part it deals with music and in another part, cultural habits. I don't know what this is talking about.
Could you let me know if there is any consistency of the argument included?

You're right, the writer is putting together several thoughts to make a point. And yes, there is consistency.

You understand the first line you underlined, right? Music is a special branch of learning.

But what do music students usually study? Whatever sounds right to her or his culture. The music of different cultures sound different.

The second part you underlined is about cultural habits. What cultural habits show up in South Korean music? For instance, what is distinctive about the words or notes or instruments? How are they different from the musical habits of other cultures?

The writer goes on to talk about "free trial and error" and calls it "selfish." Is it selfish? Do you agree?

Does the example of learning music help the writer make the point?

keannu said:

This wring is confusing as in some part it deals with music and in another part, cultural habits. I don't know what this is talking about.
Could you let me know if there is any consistency of the argument included?

Click to expand...

The person seems to be using the music references as a pretext to get stuck into his or her strong views about the transmission of culture.

Tdol said:

The person seems to be using the music references as a pretext to get stuck into his or her strong views about the transmission of culture.

Click to expand...

Yup.