Recent models for adaptive personality differences: a review

Dingemanse, Niels J.; Wolf, Max

doi:10.1098/rstb.2010.0221

Cited by 574

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 6 of the 6 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Recent models for adaptive personality differences: a review

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Dingemanse, Niels J., Wolf, Max·2010·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

DOI 10.1098/rstb.2010.0221

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In this paper we review recent models that provide adaptive explanations for animal personalities: individual differences in behaviour (or suites of correlated behaviours) that are consistent over time or contexts. We start by briefly discussing patterns of variation in behaviour that have been documented in natural populations. In the main part of the paper we discuss models for personality differences that (i) explain animal personalities as adaptive behavioural responses to differences in state, (ii) investigate how feedbacks between state and behaviour can stabilize initial differences among individuals and (iii) provide adaptive explanations for animal personalities that are not based on state differences. Throughout, we focus on two basic questions. First, what is the basic conceptual idea underlying the model? Second, what are the key assumptions and predictions of the model? We conclude by discussing empirical features of personalities that have not yet been addressed by formal modelling. While this paper is primarily intended to guide empiricists through current adaptive theory, thereby stimulating empirical tests of these models, we hope it also inspires theoreticians to address aspects of personalities that have received little attention up to now.

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Authors: Dingemanse, N. J., & Wolf, M.
Venue: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Publisher: The Royal Society
Published: 2010-12-27
Volume: 365
Issue: 1560
Pages: 3947-3958
ISSN: 0962-8436 (ISSN-L)
1471-2970
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2010.0221
OpenAlex: W2171330922
Cited by: 574
References: 6
FWCI: 38.09
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: green
Licence: royalsociety.org/journals/ethics-policies/data-sharing-mining/ (tdm)

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Recent models for adaptive personality differences: a review

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