Cavum septum pellucidum volume and life history strategy

Life history (LH) theory is an increasingly important evolutionary framework for understanding patterns among individual differences. However, developments in LH theory have not been accompanied by research on the neuroanatomy underlying these individual differences. The current investigation is an initial attempt to make a connection between individual differences in LH strategy and the neuroanatomy of the brain by examining the association between cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) and LH strategy. CSP is the space between the leaflets of the septum pellucidum and CSP size has been found to be predictive of numerous psychological illnesses. Moreover, the nomological network of CSP size is similar to that found for LH strategy. Thus, it was hypothesized that CSP size would also be associated with LH strategy. Using structural MRI data from the Human Connectome Project on 542 participants, the relationship between CSP volume and LH strategy, covitality, personality and a Super-K factor composed of the 3 factors was examined. Consistent with predictions, CSP volume was associated with all of the indicators of LH strategy. Additional analyses using the method of correlated vectors supported the CSP volume-LH strategy association. The results are discussed in terms of why this relationship exists, along with a prescription for additional research connecting LH theory and neuroscience.

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