Sir Francis Galton, Epigenetic Rules, Genetic Similarity Theory, and Human Life-History Analysis

ABSTRACT In this article, an evolutionary perspective is applied to individual differences Among the issues discussed are ( a ) the seminal contributions of Francis Galton and the subsequent ideological reaction, ( b ) the distalproximal continuum for understanding levels of explanation in social behavior, ( c ) consistent patterns of group differences in behavior (age, sex, social class, and race), ( d ) the heritability of personality and the role epigenetic rules play in guiding development in one direction over alternatives, ( e ) the genetic similarity theory perspective on friendship and mate choice, and ( f ) the view that personality is part of an r-K reproductive strategy involving a compensatory exchange between the production of gametes and parental care It is suggested in conclusion that personality traits be considered aspects of a coordinated life cycle deeply embedded in evolutionary history