Differential Effects of Fundamental and Longitudinal Life History Trade-Offs on Delay Discounting: An Evolutionary Framework
We synthesized life history theory and the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis to form an integrative framework for understanding delay discounting (DD). We distinguished between fundamental and longitudinal life history trade-offs to explain individual and age differences of DD. Fundamental life his...
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/12/3/63 |
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| author | Junsong Lu Qi’an Lu Lin Lu |
| author_facet | Junsong Lu Qi’an Lu Lin Lu |
| author_sort | Junsong Lu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We synthesized life history theory and the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis to form an integrative framework for understanding delay discounting (DD). We distinguished between fundamental and longitudinal life history trade-offs to explain individual and age differences of DD. Fundamental life history trade-offs are characterized by life history strategies (LHS), describing how individuals adjust reproductive timing according to childhood environments, while longitudinal life history trade-offs characterize how individuals make trade-offs between early- vs. late-life reproduction as a function of age. Results of a life-span sample (242 Chinese participants) supported several theoretical predictions: (a) slower LHS predicted lower DD; (b) the relationship between chronological age and DD was U-shaped; (c) the effects of age and LHS were differential. Mechanisms underlying fundamental and longitudinal trade-offs were explored. Regarding fundamental trade-offs, LHS mediated the effects of childhood environment on DD. Regarding longitudinal trade-offs, the U-shaped relationship was more evident between physical age and DD: older adults who were in poorer physical health felt older and exhibited a higher DD. Neither the time perspective nor anticipatory time perception mediated the effect of life history trade-offs. We concluded that DD was a product of two distinct life history trade-offs, reflecting both the trait-like quality and age-related development. |
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| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T20:07:15Z |
| publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
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| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-eb41cd5de7704792af2860b17adf152c2023-11-24T00:29:20ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2022-03-011236310.3390/bs12030063Differential Effects of Fundamental and Longitudinal Life History Trade-Offs on Delay Discounting: An Evolutionary FrameworkJunsong Lu0Qi’an Lu1Lin Lu2School of Economics and Management, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, ChinaSchool of Economics and Management, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin 541004, ChinaWe synthesized life history theory and the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis to form an integrative framework for understanding delay discounting (DD). We distinguished between fundamental and longitudinal life history trade-offs to explain individual and age differences of DD. Fundamental life history trade-offs are characterized by life history strategies (LHS), describing how individuals adjust reproductive timing according to childhood environments, while longitudinal life history trade-offs characterize how individuals make trade-offs between early- vs. late-life reproduction as a function of age. Results of a life-span sample (242 Chinese participants) supported several theoretical predictions: (a) slower LHS predicted lower DD; (b) the relationship between chronological age and DD was U-shaped; (c) the effects of age and LHS were differential. Mechanisms underlying fundamental and longitudinal trade-offs were explored. Regarding fundamental trade-offs, LHS mediated the effects of childhood environment on DD. Regarding longitudinal trade-offs, the U-shaped relationship was more evident between physical age and DD: older adults who were in poorer physical health felt older and exhibited a higher DD. Neither the time perspective nor anticipatory time perception mediated the effect of life history trade-offs. We concluded that DD was a product of two distinct life history trade-offs, reflecting both the trait-like quality and age-related development.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/12/3/63delay discountingintertemporal choiceage differenceslife history theorytime perception |
| spellingShingle | Junsong Lu Qi’an Lu Lin Lu Differential Effects of Fundamental and Longitudinal Life History Trade-Offs on Delay Discounting: An Evolutionary Framework Behavioral Sciences delay discounting intertemporal choice age differences life history theory time perception |
| title | Differential Effects of Fundamental and Longitudinal Life History Trade-Offs on Delay Discounting: An Evolutionary Framework |
| title_full | Differential Effects of Fundamental and Longitudinal Life History Trade-Offs on Delay Discounting: An Evolutionary Framework |
| title_fullStr | Differential Effects of Fundamental and Longitudinal Life History Trade-Offs on Delay Discounting: An Evolutionary Framework |
| title_full_unstemmed | Differential Effects of Fundamental and Longitudinal Life History Trade-Offs on Delay Discounting: An Evolutionary Framework |
| title_short | Differential Effects of Fundamental and Longitudinal Life History Trade-Offs on Delay Discounting: An Evolutionary Framework |
| title_sort | differential effects of fundamental and longitudinal life history trade offs on delay discounting an evolutionary framework |
| topic | delay discounting intertemporal choice age differences life history theory time perception |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/12/3/63 |
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