Maladaptation with a Fast Pace of Life – the Case of Psychosis-Proneness
摘要
The evolution of schizotypy/psychosis-proneness has rarely been empirically investigated despite there being several conceptual propositions about its potential to be targeted by natural selection: mutation-selection balance, adaptiveness via creativity, and adaptiveness within fast life history evolution. We tested these hypotheses by examining the associations between psychosis-proneness (measured by trait Disintegration) and fertility (the number of children and age of first reproduction - AFR), physical health, mating behavior (short-term mating, long-term mating, and romantic attachment), environmental conditions, and creativity in two studies conducted in Serbia. Study 1 (N = 685) showed negative associations between psychosis-proneness and the number of children and AFR, followed by positive links between insecure attachment and environmental harshness. Study 2 (N = 2490; the sample was representative for the Serbian population) resulted in negative associations between psychosis-proneness and AFR and physical health, followed once again by positive links to insecure attachment and harsh ecological conditions. Interaction between psychosis-proneness and creativity in the prediction of fertility was not significant in either study. Hence, both studies show congruent results suggesting that variation in psychosis-proneness may be maintained by mutation-selection balance, but also possible adaptive features as a part of fast pace-of-life, expressed primarily by an earlier age of first reproduction. The results have implications for our understanding of the current evolution of psychosis-proneness.