r/K Selection Theory
Contents
Overview[edit]
The terms r and K come from the Verhulst model of population dynamics where N refers to the population, r refers to its growth rate, while K refers to its carrying capacity. dN/dt is the change in the population over time, thus the equation describes how the two factors of r and K effect population change over time.
Which factor predominates is a result of the environment the species finds itself in - specifically, which ecological niche it occupies. r and K can be thought of as reproductive focused or Kompetition focused. A species which exists in an environment or niche with an abundance of resources will lean towards reproducing as rapidly as possible; one which is near the carrying capacity (K) of its locale will focus on producing fewer offspring with greater parental investment (Kompetition). These different behavioural patterns exist both between species as well as within species. Between species, it can be said that this animal is more K-selected than that animal; within species it can be said that this individual is more r-selected than that individual. A common example used to illustrate the behavioural differences between r and K is the difference between rabbits and wolves.
r-selected rabbits[edit]
Rabbits exist in a niche of effectively unlimited resources (as much grass as they want) and randomized predation (there is no particular skill involved in running away from a hawk). As such they display the following traits:
- Early sexualization
- Low parental investment
- Cowardice
- Low in-group loyalty
A rabbit with high parental investment is not significantly more fit than one without, and the parent who invests in their offspring sacrifices the other offspring they could have had instead, thus losing out to their fellow rabbits who choose to have 'disposable' children. Similarly, the rabbit who emotionally bonds with a mate or the warren will wind up sacrificing their genes to warn of a predator, but won't receive a reciprocal towards their next of kin; they will benefit the warren, but lose their own genetic future in the process.
K-selected wolves[edit]
In contrast to rabbits, wolves exist in a highly competitive environment. Each hunting expedition is potentially lethal for the wolf, either through injury or through starvation due to wasted calories. In response, wolves display:
- Late reproduction
- High parental investment
- Ritualized combat
- High in-group loyalty
To exist at the top of the food chain requires a great deal of learned skill and team work. A wolf who reproduces without regard for the quality or loyalty of their mate will lose all of their children at the first frost; a wolf who cannot work within a pack will be less effective than those who submit to working within a team.
It is worth noting that while wolves are more prepared to use intra-species violence than rabbits, when it does occur the violence is less likely to be lethal. Wolves will fight one another ritualistically and submit before blood has been spilled; when rabbits fight, it is usually the entire warren turning on a single individual and murdering them, or a mother killing her own young.
Overall, K-selected species tend to be:
- Larger physically
- Smaller in population
- More intelligent
- Longer lived
- Frequently predators
- Greater sexual dimorphism
r/K-selection within species[edit]
While each species tends towards a set-point on the r/K spectrum, a shift in the environmental will cause a shift in behavior. This is both a response within the individuals as they sense the changing landscape, and a shift within the species as a genetic preference for the new reproductive strategy comes to dominate the genome. A sudden increase in the global temperature, along with an increased flowering of resources, will result in more r-type expansion and experimentation in all species; an ice age will favour a K-type restriction reproduction, emphasizing the need for fitness.
The interaction between r/K strategies within species can be used to explain competition within the sexual realm.
r/K-selection and Humanity[edit]
Humans are primarily a K-selected species, as evidenced by our innate disgust with r-selected behaviour. Abandoning the young and the elderly is considered cowardly by our ethics, cheating at sports (a form of ritualized combat) is looked down upon, and rampant, early sexuality is detested. Biologically, our young require over a decade of parental investment, we naturally organize into hierarchical teams, and we prefer to seek out challenges and self improvement.
But like all species, when we are provided with free resources this "honorable" behaviour (honorable according to human, K-type ethics) begins to diminish. Sexual relationships become less stable, children are less valued when they are born, or avoided all together through abortion and prophylactics. In-group loyalty is replaced with out-group loyalty, and competitiveness is frowned upon.
Most left-wing policies can be viewed as the strategy of the r-types within our species tilting the playing field so that they can out-compete the K-types in the genetic battlefield. Examples include:
- Redistribution of Income: this tends to provide resources to uncompetitive r populations, while depleting the resources of the K populations.
- Disloyalty: by preferring the out-group to the in-group they ensure that more of our Ks will perish in foreign wars do to imbalanced rules of engagement; rs tend not to join the military and/or police forces, so they will advocate for criminals and political enemies.
- Everyone Gets a Trophy: by not keeping score, the Ks are prevented from displaying their fitness to potential mates.
- Early Sex Education: by emphasizing sexuality at an early age they prevent K-type relationship formation which could potentially out-compete them.
r/K-selection and Game[edit]
How one approaches the opposite sex also aligns with r/K theory. The Red Pill, "Alpha Male" approach tends towards emphasizing the competitiveness of the man:
- Physical fitness
- Confidence
- Accomplishment
- Dominance
Likewise, the preferred sort of female partner would be:
- Fertile
- Few-to-no previous sexual partners
- Submissive
- Nurturing
Contrasting this is the Blue Pill "sneaky male" approach where the man behaves effeminately, begs for sex, doesn't mind a woman having multiple partners, and will be attracted to women outside of their peak fertility - both older and younger than full sexual maturity (approximately 18-21).
External Links[edit]
Anonymous Conservative: Liberal and Conservative Politics and News in Light of r/K Selection Theory
