Tomada de risco orientada ao status e estratégias de vida: efeito mediador das prioridades axiológicas

Abstract

This dissertation aimed to answer the following research question: how does the Status-Driven Risk Taking (SDRT) and human values predict the life history strategies (LHS)? Four empirical studies were conducted. Study 1 aimed to adapt the SDRT-8 scale, composed by 8 items, to the Brazilian context. Participants were 233 undergraduate students with a mean of age of 23.7 years old (SD = 5.77) that answered the SDRT-8 scale and demographic questions. An exploratory factor analysis indicated a one-factorial structure (Hull method), explaining 53.0% of total variance with satisfactory reliability (e.g., Ω = 0.87). Item Response Theory analysis demonstrated that the items of the SDRT-8 scale discriminate participants properly and require moderate levels of latent trait to be endorsed. Study 2 aimed to provide more robust psychometric evidence for the SDRT-8 scale. Participants were 202 undergraduate students with a mean of age of 23.5 years old (SD = 6.07) that answered the SDRT-8, the Big Six Factors of Personality (BSFP) and demographic questions. A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the previous factorial solution (e.g., CFI = .97) and supported a full invariance across gender (e.g., ΔCFI <.01). The SDRT-8 correlated negatively with Honesty-Humility and Agreeableness, supporting its aversive facet. A test-retest reliability (n = 43) provided temporal stability evidence for the SDRT-8 (r = .81; participants contacted 30 days later). In study 3 was investigated the human values correlates of the SDRT. Participants were 225 subjects from general population with a mean of age of 28.6 years old (SD = 9.39) that answered the SDRT-8, the Basic Values Survey (BVS) and demographic questions. Bivariate analysis indicated positive correlations with personal values and negative correlations with central and social values. The Latent Profile Analysis revealed different subgroups of association patterns between SDRT and human values with quantitative (Self-centered profile vs. Prosocial profile) and qualitative distintictions (Self-centered profile and Prosocial profile vs. Adaptative profile). The data supported both a congruent relationship (i.e., traitexpressive and axiological priority with compatible goals), and a non-linear association that may reflect responses to particular contexts; adaptative plasticity. Finally, the fourth study aimed to provide evolutionary evidence for the SDRT and human values through the Life History Theory and to test the mediating role of human values on this scenario. Participants were 230 subjects from general population with a mean of age of 30.3 years old (SD = 9.22) that answered the SDRT-8, the BVS, the Mini-K (measure of individual differences in slow LHS) and demographic questions. The results showed that the SDRT embodied a fast LHS (e.g., high rates of fertility and mortality), and the interactive and normative values were supported as mediators on this relationship. In sum, it is estimated that the objective was reached. In addition to the adaptation of a TROS instrument with satisfactory psychometric evidence, it was attested the predictive power of TROS and human values towards the LHS, verifying a mediating effect of the axiological priorities in this scenario.