Evolved Decision Rules for Parenting
Evolved strategies for allocating effort to parenting
Evolved decision rules for parenting propose that parents will allocate effort to parenting based on their own condition, the condition of their mate, and the potential for reproductive success of their offspring.
- Parents will allocate effort to parenting based on their own condition.
- Parents will allocate effort to parenting based on the condition of their mate.
- Parents will allocate effort to parenting based on the potential for reproductive success of their offspring.
- Assess own conditionDetermine the condition of the parent, including their health, social status, and access to resources.Pro tipConsider multiple factors when assessing own condition.WarningBe aware of potential biases in assessing own condition.
- Assess mate conditionDetermine the condition of the mate, including their health, social status, and access to resources.Pro tipConsider multiple factors when assessing mate condition.WarningBe aware of potential biases in assessing mate condition.
- Determine offspring potentialDetermine the potential for reproductive success of the offspring.Pro tipConsider multiple factors when determining offspring potential.WarningBe aware of potential biases in determining offspring potential.
Young women may allocate more effort to parenting, as they have a higher potential for reproductive success.
Older women may allocate more effort to parenting, as they have a lower potential for reproductive success and may prioritize survival and reproductive success of their offspring.
Evolved decision rules for parenting were first proposed by evolutionary psychologists, who suggested that parents would adjust their investment in offspring based on their own condition and the condition of their mate.