The K-factor, Covitality, and personality

Abstract

We present a psychometric test of life history theory as applied to human individual differences using MIDUS survey data (Brim et al. 2000). Twenty scales measuring cognitive and behavioral dimensions theoretically related to life history strategy were constructed using items from the MIDUS survey. These scales were used to construct a single common factor, the K-factor, which accounted for 70% of the reliable variance. The scales used included measures of personal, familial, and social function. A second common factor, Covitality, was constructed from scales for physical and mental health. Finally, a single general factor, Personality, was constructed from scales for the "Big Five" factors of personality. The K-factor, covitality factor, and general personality factor correlated significantly with each other, supporting the prediction that high K predicts high somatic effort and also manifests in behavioral display. Thus, a single higher-order common factor, the Super-K factor, was constructed that consisted of the K-factor, covitality factor, and personality factor.

The behavioral correlates of overall and distinctive life history strategy.

“…Most interestingly, they paint strikingly different views of the slow (vs. fast) life history person depending on whether the overall or distinctive measure is used-even though overall and distinctive slow-LH scores are themselves highly correlated. If one considers only overall slow-LH scores, the results mirror the findings of previous research indicating that slow-LH people have many conventionally "positive" (meaning socially desirable) and very few conventionally "negative" (meaning socially undesirable) qualities (e.g., Figueredo et al, 2007). However, if one considers the distinctive slow-LH history scores, the results reveal how both slow-LH and fast-LH persons have adaptive strengths and weaknesses.…”

“…Such a relationship between the average CAQ profile and the slow-LH template is not surprising as previous research has demonstrated that slow-LH (or K-factor) is associated with covitality-a composite measure of physical and psychological well-being (Figueredo et al, 2007)-and previous research has demonstrated that the average personality profile is associated with psychological adjustment (Baird et al, 2006;Borkenau & Zaltauskas, 2009;Edwards, 1957;Fleeson & Wilt, 2010;Klimstra et al, 2010;Sherman et al, 2012;Wood et al, 2007;Wood & Wortman, 2012).…”

“…LH strategies manifest heritable variation (Figueredo et al, 2004;Rowe, 2000), and a single common K-Factor underlies a number of life history markers including sexual, reproductive, and parental behaviors . This K-Factor has been found to be positively associated with important outcomes including a combination of physical and mental health, including subjective well-being, called "covitality" (Figueredo et al, 2007), as well as relationship satisfaction , such that slow-LH (high K) individuals are more likely to be physically and mentally healthy and to enjoy more satisfying relationships. Further, this K-Factor is negatively associated with other outcomes that are generally considered less socially desirable, such as criminality (Rowe, Vazsonyi, & Figueredo, 1997), delinquency (Charles & Egan, 2005), sexual coercion (Gladden et al, 2008), and relationship dissolution .…”

The nature and dynamics of world religions: a life-history approach

“…The human species is characterized by a specific mating system, with a high propensity towards monogamous pairbonding, a high level of cooperation between males and females, and a high level of male investment in offspring [54], with some leeway for cultural variations [54]. Psychosocial acceleration theory posits that when the environment is harsh, individuals have an interest in diversifying their sexual and emotional investments, having multiple partners, sex without commitment and shorter committed relationships [32,51,55]. Given the costs and benefits associated with longterm relationships, it should indeed be expected that people develop different attachment styles toward their partners in harsh versus affluent environments.…”

A Behavioral Genetic Test of the Evolutionary Taxonomy

“…Empirical analyses assessing the validity of the conceptual framework of life history theory have shown considerable support for the perspective (Brumbach et al 2009;Dunkel and Decker 2010;Figueredo et al 2006Figueredo et al , 2013. In addition to construct validity analyses, the empirical literature has illustrated variance in human life history strategies related to outcomes such as health-related measures (Ellis 1988;Rushton 2000Rushton , 2004, relationship measures (Olderbak and Figueredo 2010), personality (Figueredo et al 2007;Gladden et al 2009), risktaking propensities (Ellis et al 2012;Figueredo et al 2005;Wilson and Daly 1997), and antisocial behaviors Daly and Wilson 2005;Dunkel et al , 2013Ellis 1988;Ellis et al 2012;Rowe et al 1997;Rushton 1989;Rushton and Templer 2009;Wenner et al 2013;Wilson and Daly 1997). Importantly, given the explicit focus on reproductive behaviors within life history theory, an expanding literature has illustrated considerable within-species variance in sexual behaviors among humans congruent with expectations derived from life history theory Figueredo et al 2006;Rowe et al 1997).…”