Psychology 3228 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Life History Theory, Inclusive Fitness, Parental Investment

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 3228
• Professor: Caroline Strang

Document Summary

A number of researchers including james chisholm and jay belsky (chisholm, 1999; Belsky, 1997) have developed the idea that childhood is for reproduction by adopting a theoretical framework known as life history theory. Describes development in terms of the decisions made by organisms in order to maximize their inclusive fitness. The (cid:272)hild(cid:859)s de(cid:448)elop(cid:373)e(cid:374)tal traje(cid:272)tor(cid:455) (cid:894)assu(cid:373)i(cid:374)g the orga(cid:374)is(cid:373) is hu(cid:373)a(cid:374)(cid:895) is see(cid:374) as (cid:271)ei(cid:374)g under the control of a multiplicity of environmental experiences, particularly those within the family. Life history theory argues that sexually immature individuals play a much more active although not necessarily conscious role in determining their optimal developmental path. Activities directed towards enhancing one component might actually reduce fitness on another. An organism has therefore to choose how much of its time and resources it spends engaging in each of the fitness-enhancing activities: this is known as the principle of allocation.