A theory of human life history evolution: Diet, intelligence, and longevity

Human life histories, as compared to those of other primates and mammals, h ave at least four distinctive characteristics: an exceptionally long lifesp an, an extended period of juvenile dependence, support of reproduction by o lder postreproductive individuals, and male support of reproduction through the provisioning of females and their offspring. Another distinctive featu re of our species is a large brain, with its associated psychological attri butes: increased capacities for learning, cognition, and insight. In this p aper, we propose a theory that unites and organizes these observations and generates many theoretical and empirical predictions. We present some tests of those predictions and outline new predictions that can be tested in fut ure research by comparative biologists, archeologists, paleontologists, bio logical anthropologists, demographers, geneticists, and cultural anthropolo gists.