Lamarckism

According to Lamarck, evolution of a species occurs in response to a need developing due to change in habits of that species; use of a particular organ or aptitude thus enlarges, strengthens or encourages hereditary development of that organ or aptitude, while disuse diminishes it. Thus by changing habits evolutionary changes may be induced through inheritance of acquired characteristics - parents who spent much time and effort practising piano playing would have children with a natural aptitude for playing the piano. This theory has been disproved practically through tests in breeding animals and theoretically through an understanding of genetically inherited characteristics.