Differential K theory

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In psychology and criminology, Differential K theory is a scientific racist theory, first proposed by Canadian psychologist J. Philippe Rushton in 1985,[1] which attempts to apply r/K selection theory to human races. According to Rushton, this theory explains race differences in fertility, IQ, criminality, and sexual anatomy and behavior.[2] The theory also hypothesizes that a single factor, the "K factor", affects multiple population statistics Rushton referred to as "life-history traits".[3]

History[]

A 2013 study found tentative support for some aspects of the theory, specifically the correlative relationships between IQ and parental investment along with fertility rates.[4] However, the authors noted that, after accounting for the proportion of black residents among counties, no association was observed between IQ and either life-history variable.

Some researchers have also tried to combine differential K theory with Terrie Moffitt's developmental theory of crime to create what they call a "unified crime theory".[5]

Reception[]

Many researchers have criticized Rushton's theory. It has been argued that the predictions based on the theory "are supported by selective citation and misrepresentation of the research literature and by the use of unreliable sources"[2] and that Rushton's methodology "indicates a lack of familiarity with ecological thinking and scientific method in general."[6] A 2014 study found differences in the General Factor of Personality across races that were not compatible with differential K theory.[7]

Additional criticism of the theory has come from Edward M. Miller, who has argued that contrary to the theory, unpredictable environments select for K, not r, characteristics.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ Rushton, J. Philippe (January 1985). "Differential K theory: The sociobiology of individual and group differences". Personality and Individual Differences. 6 (4): 441–452. doi:10.1016/0191-8869(85)90137-0.
  2. ^ a b Weizmann, Fredric; Wiener, Neil I.; Wiesenthal, David L.; Ziegler, Michael (1990). "Differential K theory and racial hierarchies". Canadian Psychology. 31 (1): 1–13. doi:10.1037/h0078934.
  3. ^ Templer, Donald I. (October 2008). "Correlational and factor analytic support for Rushton's differential K life history theory". Personality and Individual Differences. 45 (6): 440–444. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2008.05.010.
  4. ^ Boutwell, Brian B.; Franklin, Travis W.; Barnes, J.C.; Beaver, Kevin M.; Deaton, Raelynn; Lewis, Richard H.; Tamplin, Amanda K.; Petkovsek, Melissa A. (September 2013). "County-level IQ and fertility rates: A partial test of Differential-K theory". Personality and Individual Differences. 55 (5): 547–552. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.04.018.
  5. ^ Boutwell, Brian B.; Barnes, J.C.; Beaver, Kevin M.; Haynes, Raelynn Deaton; Nedelec, Joseph L.; Gibson, Chris L. (2015). "A unified crime theory: The evolutionary taxonomy". Aggression and Violent Behavior. 25: 343–353. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2015.09.003.
  6. ^ Anderson, Judith L. (1991). "Rushton's racial comparisons: An ecological critique of theory and method". Canadian Psychology. 32 (1): 51–62. doi:10.1037/h0078956.
  7. ^ Dunkel, Curtis S.; Cabeza De Baca, Tomás; Woodley, Michael A.; Fernandes, Heitor B.F. (April 2014). "The General Factor of Personality and general intelligence: Testing hypotheses from Differential-K, Life History Theory, and strategic differentiation–integration effort". Personality and Individual Differences. 61–62: 13–17. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2013.12.017.
  8. ^ Miller, Edward M. (December 1995). "Environmental variability selects for large families only in special circumstances: Another objection to differential K theory". Personality and Individual Differences. 19 (6): 903–918. doi:10.1016/S0191-8869(95)00126-3.
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