Modeling, simulating, and simplifying links between stress, attachment, and reproduction

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dean Petters ◽  
Everett Waters
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Environmental Stress ◽  
Attachment Theory ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
Current Thinking ◽  
Target Article

AbstractJohn Bowlby's use of evolutionary theory as a cornerstone of his attachment theory was innovative in its day and remains useful. Del Giudice's target article extends Belsky et al.'s and Chisholm's efforts to integrate attachment theory with more current thinking about evolution, ecology, and neuroscience. His analysis would be strengthened by (1) using computer simulation to clarify and simulate the effects of early environmental stress, (2) incorporating information about non-stress related sources of individual differences, (3) considering the possibility of adaptive behavior without specific evolutionary adaptations, and (4) considering whether the attachment construct is critical to his analysis.

Group-level traits can be studied with standard evolutionary theory

2014 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-274
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Scott-Phillips ◽  
Thomas E. Dickins
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Cultural Epidemiology ◽  
Orthodox Theory

AbstractSmaldino's target article draws on and seeks to add to a literature that has partially rejected orthodox, gene-centric evolutionary theory. However, orthodox theory has much to say about group-level traits. The target article does not reference or refute these views, and provides no explicit arguments for this narrow approach. In this commentary we: (i) give two examples of topics that the target article might and probably should have discussed (cultural epidemiology and the psychology of individual differences); and (ii) argue that the orthodox approach has much more to say about the emergence of group-level traits than the target article recognises, or gives credit for.

Inter-individual variation shapes the human microbiome

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily F. Wissel ◽  
Leigh K. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Microbiome Research

Abstract The target article suggests inter-individual variability is a weakness of microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) research, but we discuss why it is actually a strength. We comment on how accounting for individual differences can help researchers systematically understand the observed variance in microbiota composition, interpret null findings, and potentially improve the efficacy of therapeutic treatments in future clinical microbiome research.

Individual Differences in Valuing Mates' Physical Attractiveness

2006 ◽  
Vol 99 (2) ◽  
pp. 502-511
Author(s):  
Eugene W. Mathes ◽  
Abby Bielser ◽  
Ticcarra Cassell ◽  
Sarah Summers ◽  
Aggie Witowski
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Physical Attractiveness ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Women College Students

To investigate correlates of valuing physical attractiveness in a mate, it was hypothesized that valuing physical attractiveness in a mate would correlate with sex and valuing promiscuous sex, status, personal physical attractiveness, beauty, and order. Men and women college students completed measures of the extent to which they valued physical attractiveness in a mate and other variables. Valuing physical attractiveness in a mate was correlated with sex (men valued physical attractiveness in a mate more than did women) and valuing promiscuous sex and status, and, for women, valuing personal physical attractiveness. The results were explained in terms of evolutionary theory.

Sex differences in aggression: What does evolutionary theory predict?

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 273-274
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Cashdan
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Sex Difference ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Spousal Abuse ◽  
Evolutionary Perspective ◽  
Target Article

AbstractThe target article claims that evolutionary theory predicts the emergence of sex differences in aggression in early childhood, and that there will be no sex difference in anger. It also finds an absence of sex differences in spousal abuse in Western societies. All three are puzzling from an evolutionary perspective and warrant further discussion.

scholarly journals The Limits of Learning: Exploration, Generalization, and the Development of Learning Traps

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Rich ◽  
Todd Matthew Gureckis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
False Belief ◽  
Complex Environments ◽  
Extensive Experience ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
Fundamental Limit ◽  
New Type ◽  
Series Of Experiments

Learning usually improves the accuracy of beliefs through the accumulation of experience. But are there limits to learning that prevent us from accurately understanding our world? In this paper we investigate the concept of a “learning trap”—the formation of a stable false belief even with extensive experience. Our review highlights how these traps develop though the interaction of learning and decision making in unknown environments. We further document a particularly pernicious learning trap driven by selective attention, a mechanism often assumed to facilitate learning in complex environments. Using computer simulation we demonstrate the key attributes of the agent and environment that lead to this new type of learning trap. Then, in a series of experiments we present evidence that people robustly fall into this trap, even in the presence of various interventions predicted to meliorate it. These results highlight a fundamental limit to learning and adaptive behavior that impacts individuals, organizations, animals, and machines.

scholarly journals Physiological units and behavioral elements: Dynamic brains relate to dynamic behavior

2000 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 406-407
Author(s):  
Andreas Keil ◽  
Thomas Elbert
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Behavior ◽  
Adaptive Behavior ◽  
Experimental Designs ◽  
Target Article ◽  
The Brain

Nunez is to be applauded for putting forward a theoretical brain model. In order to improve any model it needs to be experimentally testable. The model presented in the target article suffers from insufficient clarity as to how new experimental designs could be derived. This is a consequence of neglecting the purpose of the brain, which is to produce effective and adaptive behavior. It might be possible to overcome this drawback by including Hebb-based modeling.

Adult Attachment and Compassion

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mario Mikulincer ◽  
Phillip R. Shaver
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Prosocial Behavior ◽  
Attachment Theory ◽  
Safe Haven ◽  
Support Provision ◽  
Behavioral Systems ◽  
Caregiving System ◽  
Behavioral System ◽  
Optimal Functioning ◽  
Sense Of Security

According to attachment theory (Bowlby, 1973, 1982), the optimal functioning of the attachment behavioral system and the resulting sense of security in dealing with life’s challenges and difficulties facilitate the functioning of other behavioral systems, including the caregiving system that governs the activation of prosocial behavior and compassionate acts of helping needy others. In this chapter, we focus on what we have learned about the interplay of the attachment and caregiving systems and their effects on compassion and altruism. We begin by explaining the behavioral system construct in more detail and show how individual differences in a person’s attachment system affect the functioning of the caregiving system. We review examples from the literature on attachment, focusing on what attachment theorists call providing a “safe haven” for needy others. We then review studies that have shown how individual differences in attachment affect empathy, compassion, and support provision.

Individual differences, affective and social factors

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Furnham
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Biological Theory ◽  
Behavioural Economics ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Affective Associations

The target article overestimates the power of money as a motive/incentive in order to justify trying to provide a biological theory. A great deal of the article is spent trying to force-fit other explanations into this course categorization. Lea & Webley's (L&W's) account seems to ignore systematic, individual differences, as well as the literature on many negative affective associations of money and behavioural economics, which is a cognitive account of money motivation.

Using Microtechnology to Monitor Thermal Strain and Enhance Performance in the Field

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordon G. Sleivert
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Environmental Stress ◽  
Core Temperature ◽  
Elite Athletes ◽  
Thermal Strain ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
Temperature Sensors ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Competition Strategy ◽  
Heat Adaptation

Wireless microtechnologies are rapidly emerging as useful tools for sport scientists to move their work out of the laboratory and into the field. The purpose of this report is to describe some of the practical aspects of using ingestible radiotelemetric temperature sensors in sport physiology. Information is also presented to demonstrate the utility of this technology in understanding individual differences in coping with environmental stress, optimizing heat adaptation, and fine-tuning competition strategy (pacing). Wireless core-temperature technology has already revolutionized field monitoring of elite athletes training and competing in extreme environments. These technologies are valuable tools for sport scientists to better understand the interaction between the physiology of exercise and the environment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document