External environment and internal state in relation to life-history behavioural profiles of adolescents in nine countries

Authors

Lei Chang, University of MacauFollow
Hui Jing Lu
Jennifer E. Lansford, Duke UniversityFollow
Marc H. Bornstein, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentFollow
Laurence Steinberg, Temple UniversityFollow
Bin-Bin Chen, Fudan University
Ann T. Skinner, Duke UniversityFollow
Kenneth A. Dodge, Duke UniversityFollow
Kirby Deater-Deckard, University of Massachusetts AmherstFollow
Dario Bacchini, Second University of NaplesFollow
Concetta Pastorelli, University of Rome La SapienzaFollow
Liane Peña Alampay, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
Sombat Tapanya, Chiang Mai UniversityFollow
Emma Sorbring, University West
Paul Oburu, Maseno UniversityFollow
Suha M. Al-Hassan, Hashemite UniversityFollow
Laura Di Giunta, University of Rome La SapienzaFollow
Patrick S. Malone, University of South CarolinaFollow
Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Universidad San Buenaventura
Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Chiang Mai University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2019

Abstract

The external environment has traditionally been considered as the primary driver of animal life history (LH). Recent research suggests that animals' internal state is also involved, especially in forming LH behavioural phenotypes. The present study investigated how these two factors interact in formulating LH in humans. Based on a longitudinal sample of 1223 adolescents in nine countries, the results show that harsh and unpredictable environments and adverse internal states in childhood are each uniquely associated with fast LH behavioural profiles consisting of aggression, impulsivity, and risk-taking in adolescence. The external environment and internal state each strengthened the LH association of the other, but overall the external environment was more predictive of LH than was the internal state. These findings suggest that individuals rely on a multitude and consistency of sensory information in more decisively calibrating LH and behavioural strategies.

Recommended Citation

Chang, L., Lu, H. J., Lansford, J. E., Bornstein, M. H., Steinberg, L., Chen, B. B., ... & Pastorelli, C. (2019). External environment and internal state in relation to life-history behavioural profiles of adolescents in nine countries. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 286(1917), 20192097.