Sunita, a 12 year old girl, shows exceptional musical ability. Both her…

Individual differences in special abilities and talents, such as musical aptitude, are explained in developmental psychology through the interaction of heredity (genetically inherited predispositions) and environment (external experiences, exposure, and training). Modern developmental theory treats nature and nurture as jointly interacting influences rather than independent or competing ones.

In this scenario, Sunita's parents are both accomplished singers, indicating an inherited predisposition toward musical ability (heredity), while her enrollment in voice-training classes provides structured practice and exposure (environment). Her exceptional musical ability is therefore best explained as the product of these two factors interacting together, not either one in isolation.

Contrasting the other combinations offered:

• growth and maturation: maturation is the largely automatic, age-driven unfolding of biological capacities (for example, physical growth milestones); it does not depend on inherited musical talent or deliberate training, so it does not fit a scenario built around a musical family background and structured lessons.

• nutrition and discipline: these refer to diet and behavioural regulation, neither of which is mentioned or implicated in Sunita's case.

• gender identity and genetic make-up: gender identity has no established role in musical ability, and genetic make-up alone, without any training or practice component, captures only part of the picture described in the scenario.

Hence, Sunita's musical ability is most accurately attributed to the interaction between heredity and environment.