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As metabolic rate increases, the lifespan of an organism is expected to decrease as a direct result. The rate at which this occurs is not fixed and thus the -45° slope in this graph is just an example and not a constant. The rate of living theory postulates that the faster an organism's metabolism, the shorter its lifespan.
The key to life history theory is that there are limited resources available, and focusing on only a few life history characteristics is necessary. Examples of some major life history characteristics include: Age at first reproductive event; Reproductive lifespan and ageing; Number and size of offspring
The theory was popular in the 1970s and 1980s, when it was used as a heuristic device, but lost importance in the early 1990s, when it was criticized by several empirical studies. [5] [6] A life-history paradigm has replaced the r/K selection paradigm, but continues to incorporate its important themes as a subset of life history theory. [7]
According to this theory, life span development has multiple trajectories (positive, negative, stable) and causes (biological, psychological, social, and cultural). Individual variation is a hallmark of this theory – not all individuals develop and age at the same rate and in the same manner. [15] Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory
In psychology, developmental stage theories are theories that divide psychological development into distinct stages which are characterized by qualitative differences in behavior. [ 1 ] There are several different views about psychological and physical development and how they proceed throughout the life span.
Although not explained by reinforcement theory, the extinction burst can be understood using control theory. In perceptual control theory, the degree of output involved in any action is proportional to the discrepancy between the reference value (desired rate of reward in the operant paradigm) and the current input. Thus, when reward is removed ...
The primary factor promoting standardization of the life course was improvement in mortality rates brought about by the management of contagious and infectious diseases such as smallpox. [6] A life course is defined as "a sequence of socially defined events and roles that the individual enacts over time". [ 7 ]
Melioration theory in behavioral psychology is a theoretical algorithm that predicts the matching law. [1] Melioration theory is used as an explanation for why an organism makes choices based on the rewards or reinforcers it receives. The principle of melioration states that animals will invest increasing amounts of time and/or effort into ...