Teacher expectation effects on vocal and instrumental performance: A focus on student gender

Abstract

In this study, the researchers examined teachers’ differential expectations for male and female students and the effects on music performance within the higher education context. The participants were 91 teachers and 480 second-year undergraduate students majoring in vocal and instrumental performance from two universities. Data of teacher expectations and students’ prior achievement were collected at the beginning of the 2021–2022 school year as well as students’ later achievement at the end of the school year. Researchers found that teachers held higher expectations for female students learning vocal performance than for males, and higher expectations for male students learning instrumental performance than for females. With students’ prior achievement being controlled, teacher expectations had significant effects on student year-end musical performance. Furthermore, the magnitude of teacher expectations was moderated by student gender. Specifically, males learning vocal performance and females learning instrumental performance were more susceptible to teacher expectations than their counterparts. Implications for addressing gender inequity in music education were also discussed.