Selfishness and altruism can coexist when help is subject to diminishing returns.

doi:10.1038/hdy.2011.2

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Article

Selfishness and altruism can coexist when help is subject to diminishing returns.

Heredity - 1 Aug 2011

Sibly R M, Curnow R N

Abstract excerpt

Altruism and selfishness are 30-50% heritable in man in both Western and non-Western populations. This genetically based variation in altruism and selfishness requires explanation. In non-human animals, altruism is generally directed towards relatives, and satisfies the condition known as Hamilton's rule. This nepotistic altruism evolves under natural selection only if the ratio of the benefit of receiving help...

Topics

Algorithms
Alleles
Altruism
Animals
Genetics, Population
Genotype
Humans
Models, Genetic
Phenotype

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Identifiers

PMID: 21343946
DOI: 10.1038/hdy.2011.2
PMCID: PMC3178400

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