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Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science pp 1–5Cite as

Indirect Benefits of Altruism

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Synonyms

Cooperation; Indirect reciprocity; Reputation

Definition

The different benefits gained by altruists that are received from individuals other than the original recipients of the act.

Introduction

Traditionally, two theories have mainly been used to explain how altruistic behaviors between organisms can be adaptive, and these are kin selection theory where individuals aid those with which they share a number of genes (Hamilton 1964) and reciprocal altruism where individuals aid others who can and will return the favor in the future (Trivers 1971). These have been mostly adequate in explaining a vast amount of altruism, particularly in nonhuman animals. However, when it comes to humans, there exist a number of examples of altruistic behaviors that neither genetic relatedness or reciprocity can explain. These include giving to various charities (e.g., overseas causes, animal sanctuaries), donating blood or bone marrow, and risking personal safety to save others (e.g., rescuing a...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Worcester, Worcester, UK

    Daniel Farrelly

Authors
  1. Daniel Farrelly
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Daniel Farrelly .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA

    Todd K. Shackelford

  2. Rochester, MI, USA

    Viviana A. Weekes-Shackelford

Section Editor information

  1. Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA

    Kevin Kniffin

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Farrelly, D. (2019). Indirect Benefits of Altruism. In: Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3477-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_3477-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16999-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

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