AIMS

I will use evolutionary theory, underpinned by mathematical and computational modelling, to understand how natural selection has influenced patterns of development and how these interact with early life conditions to shape behaviour. The underlying assumption of the proposed project is that children gradually develop social competence through interactions with their peers. Using the ALSPAC data I will test some general predictions derived from evolutionary models of social behaviour, in which individuals are uncertain of their own qualities but can learn about this through their social experiences (see e.g. Fawcett & Bleay 2009, Behav. Ecol. 20, 68-78; Fawcett & Johnstone 2010, Proc. R. Soc. B 277, 1427-1434). The project has two main components:

(1) To refine the models and generate more specific predictions, I will incorporate data on patterns of physical development (growth in body size, strength, pubertal development etc.), changing social situations (age-structuring of interactions, number and age of siblings, moving to a new school, etc.) and early-life stress (low SES, stressful events, etc.) in an attempt to explain age-dependent patterns of play-fighting, aggressive behaviour and reproductive strategies. To assess causal relationships, I will use Mendelian randomisation (MR) techniques based on SNPs robustly associated with patterns of development (body size and reproductive maturity).

(2) I will then conduct a targeted recall study to measure the perception of social emotions (facial image recognition task; see e.g. Penton-Voak et al. 2013, Psych. Sci. 24, 688-697) and responsiveness to social experiences (winner vs. losing a competitive task; see e.g. Pound et al. 2009, Proc. R. Soc. B 276, 153-159; van der Meij et al. 2012, Proc. R. Soc. B 279, 202-208), using a subsample of ALSPAC participants who have followed diverging trajectories of physical development and experienced different social environments early in life. This will shed light on the psychological mechanisms associated with different developmental patterns of social behaviour.