Differential K theory

In psychology and criminology, Differential K theory is a controversial 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]

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."[4] A 2014 study found differences in the General Factor of Personality across races that were not compatible with differential K theory.[5]

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.[6] This trend has been noted in other studies seeking to examine the applicability of the theory. A 2012 study finding that while ethnicity accounted for less than 2% of the variance in both Blacks and Whites, the relationship was inverse of that posed be differential K theory. Another 2014 study reported evidence against the theory with respect to the association between male sexual behavior, social capital, and the favorability of environments. Finding that, among British males, the trends of sexual development/history were inverse of those proposed by K theory; being that higher social capital correlated with lower age of sexual debut and greater number of partners.

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.[7] However, the authors noted that once accounting for the proportion of black residents in a given county, the no correlative relationship was observed between IQ and either variable; suggesting lurking socioeconomic variables.

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".[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. 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. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.


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