Star plot to visualize factor loadings.
- Bielby et al. 2007. The fast-slow continuum in mammalian life history: an empirical reevaluation. Am Nat 169.
by Mark James Adams
A worker in quantitative genetics, primate psychology, and cooperative breeding. I research the evolutionary dynamics of correlated suites of behavior in wild animals. I am trying to answer the question Why do our personalities differ?
About Differential biology? Ask the Reader
A worker in quantitative genetics, primate psychology, and cooperative breeding. I research the evolutionary dynamics of correlated suites of behavior in wild animals. I am trying to answer the question Why do our personalities differ?
About Differential biology? Ask the Reader
May 5, 2011
August 8, 2010
![LHS [life history strategy] is a strong predictor of relationship satisfaction at initial data collection, but only a moderate predictor of relationship satisfaction over time, and a relatively weak predictor of relationship dissolution, at least during the maximum period of time (1 year) sampled. In other words, the influence of LHS appears to decrease over time. These results suggest that perhaps the traits of the romantic partners, specically their LHS, are important in terms of relationship satisfaction, however, as the relationship progresses, other variables become important.
The figure shows the final model from the analysis. A latent life-history trait (mean of of both partners) is measured by life-history orientation (Mini-K), personality qualities that are desirable in one’s partner (MVI), and the general factor of personality (GFP—more on this in a future post). The model then shows the extent to which the latent trait predicts relationship satisfaction (centercept).
The latent trait is well described by the 3 manifest variables. I am wary at this point of dubbing this trait “life history” as this construct has yet to the validated against the biological traits associated with LH like age at primiparity, reproductive lifespan, and offspring count and size. However, showing what this construct predicts is a start to understanding what it is.
S Olderbak, AJ Figueredo. Life history strategy as a longitudinal predictor of relationship satisfaction and dissolution. Personality and Individual Differences 2010 vol. 49 pp. 234-239](http://www.tumblr.com/photo/1280/differential/922007090/1/tumblr_l6t00jaUp01qaknvv)
LHS [life history strategy] is a strong predictor of relationship satisfaction at initial data collection, but only a moderate predictor of relationship satisfaction over time, and a relatively weak predictor of relationship dissolution, at least during the maximum period of time (1 year) sampled. In other words, the influence of LHS appears to decrease over time. These results suggest that perhaps the traits of the romantic partners, specically their LHS, are important in terms of relationship satisfaction, however, as the relationship progresses, other variables become important.
The figure shows the final model from the analysis. A latent life-history trait (mean of of both partners) is measured by life-history orientation (Mini-K), personality qualities that are desirable in one’s partner (MVI), and the general factor of personality (GFP—more on this in a future post). The model then shows the extent to which the latent trait predicts relationship satisfaction (centercept).
The latent trait is well described by the 3 manifest variables. I am wary at this point of dubbing this trait “life history” as this construct has yet to the validated against the biological traits associated with LH like age at primiparity, reproductive lifespan, and offspring count and size. However, showing what this construct predicts is a start to understanding what it is.
- S Olderbak, AJ Figueredo. Life history strategy as a longitudinal predictor of relationship satisfaction and dissolution. Personality and Individual Differences 2010 vol. 49 pp. 234-239
April 15, 2010
Fido’s personality: not just behavior
Dogs are a great study system for behavior because you have a set of breeds that have undergone recent, strong, and divergent selection for specific behavioral characteristics over a very short period of time (~15ky—we are evolution here, so anything on the order of thousands of years is considered recent). This has also resulted in a great deal of diversity, not only in behavior, but also in morphology and lifespan.
Careau and colleagues tie these strands together:
Here we tested whether proactive [dog] personalities (high levels of activity, boldness, and aggression) are related to a fast “pace of life” (high rates of growth, mortality, and energy expenditure). Data from the literature provide preliminary evidence that artificial selection on dogs (through domestication) generated variations in personality traits that are correlated with life histories and metabolism. We found that obedient (or docile, shy) breeds live longer than disobedient (or bold) ones and that aggressive breeds have higher energy needs than unaggressive ones.
They posit a correlated response to selection on personality as the explanation for these changes in life-history parameters.
There is something fundamentally Darwinian in this study: looking at artificial and unconscious selection by humans as a complex evolutionary process.
- Careau et al. (2010) The Pace of Life under Artificial Selection: Personality, Energy Expenditure, and Longevity Are Correlated in Domestic Dogs. Am Nat doi:10.1086/652435
Photo cc-by shinkusano
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