Life history theory and human reproductive behavior : Environmental/contextual influences and heritable variation
MacDonald, K.
Human Nature 8(4): 327-359
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 1045-6767 PMID: 26197164 DOI: 10.1007/bf02913038Document Number: 523456
The purpose of this article is to develop a model of life history theory that incorporates environmental influences, contextual influences, and heritable variation. I argue that physically or psychologically stressful environments delay maturation and the onset of reproductive competence. The social context is also important, and here I concentrate on the opportunity for upward social mobility as a contextual influence that results in delaying reproduction and lowering fertility in the interest of increasing investment in children. I also review evidence that variation in life history strategies is influenced by genetic variation as well. Finally, I show that cultural shifts in the social control of sexual behavior have had differential effects on individuals predisposed to high- versus low-investment reproductive strategies.
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