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- Title
The K-Factor, Covitality, and Personality: A Psychometric Test of Life History Theory.
- Authors
Figueredo, Aurelio José; Vásquez, Geneva; Brumbach, Barbara Hagenah; Schneider, Stephanie M. R.
- Abstract
We present a psychometric test of life history theory as applied to human individual differences using MIDUS survey data (Brim et al. 2000). Twenty scales measuring cognitive and behavioral dimensions theoretically related to life history strategy were constructed using items from the MIDUS survey. These scales were used to construct a single common factor, the K-factor, which accounted for 70% of the reliable variance. The scales used included measures of personal, familial, and social function. A second common factor, Covitality, was constructed from scales for physical and mental health. Finally, a single general factor, Personality, was constructed from scales for the "Big Five" factors of personality. The K-factor, covitality factor, and general personality factor correlated significantly with each other, supporting the prediction that high K predicts high somatic effort and also manifests in behavioral display. Thus, a single higher-order common factor, the Super-K factor, was constructed that consisted of the K-factor, covitality factor, and personality factor.
- Subjects
PSYCHOMETRICS; INDIVIDUAL differences; PERSONALITY tests; MENTAL health; PATHOLOGICAL psychology; BEHAVIORAL &; Emotional Rating Scale; HUMAN behavior; SOCIAL interaction; ANALYSIS of variance
- Publication
Human Nature, 2007, Vol 18, Issue 1, p47
- ISSN
1045-6767
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/BF02820846