altruism

Examples of altruism in the following topics:

• Altruism and Populations

  • However, these behaviors may not be truly defined as altruism in these cases because the actor is actually increasing its own fitness either directly (through its own offspring) or indirectly (through the inclusive fitness it gains through relatives that share genes with it).
  • This behavior is still not necessarily altruism, as the "giving" behavior of the actor is based on the expectation that it will be the "receiver" of the behavior in the future; a concept termed reciprocal altruism.
  • Reciprocal altruism requires that individuals repeatedly encounter each other, often the result of living in the same social group, and that cheaters (those that never "give back") are punished.
  • The definition of "pure" altruism, based on human behavior, is an action that benefits another without any direct benefit to oneself.