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In What Kinds of Social Groups can “Altruistic” Behaviors Evolve?

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Simulating Social Phenomena

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems ((LNE,volume 456))

Abstract

Altruistic behavior represents a puzzle from an evolutionary point of view. Kin selection and reciprocal altruism can explain altruism only in restricted contexts. We present simulations showing that altruistic behaviors can emerge in social groups of individuals that behave similarly because they are genetically related but not in random social groups. We suggest that if homogeneity of behavior within group can be guaranteed by some cultural mechanism, altruistic behaviors can emerge and be maintained in the population.

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Rome La Sapienza, 78, Via dei Marsi, 00185, Rome, Italy

    Roberto Pedone

  2. Institute of Psychology, National Research Council, 15, Viale Marx, 00137, Rome, Italy

    Domenico Parisi

Authors
  1. Roberto Pedone
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  2. Domenico Parisi
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Psychology, CNR, V.le Marx 15, I-00137, Rome, Italy

    Rosaria Conte

  2. Department of Philosophy, University of Bayreuth, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz 3, D-95445, Bayreuth, Germany

    Rainer Hegselmann

  3. Department of Economics, University of Turin, C.so Unione Sovietica 218bis, I-10134, Turin, Italy

    Pietro Terna

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© 1997 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Pedone, R., Parisi, D. (1997). In What Kinds of Social Groups can “Altruistic” Behaviors Evolve?. In: Conte, R., Hegselmann, R., Terna, P. (eds) Simulating Social Phenomena. Lecture Notes in Economics and Mathematical Systems, vol 456. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03366-1_16

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-03366-1_16

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-63329-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-662-03366-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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