Synonyms
Definition
Hamilton’s rule is that an altruistic behavior can be selected for in a population under the circumstances that
- 1.
The behavior is heritable (variance explained by genetic difference).
- 2.
The gene underlying it provides a benefit to those who share that gene by common descent that is higher than the cost exerted, multiplied by the coefficient of relatedness.
This is usually simplified to r B – C >0. In this formulation r is the relatedness coefficient between actor and beneficiary of behavior; B is the reproductive benefit provided to the recipient; and C is the cost to the actor in terms of direct reproduction.
Introduction
The term “paradigm shift” should come with a health warning. Hamilton’s rule, formalizing inclusive fitness, is one of those very few developments in science that genuinely deserves the accolade. Inclusive fitness is a central, axiomatic concept in evolutionary biology. Darwin’s...
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King, R. (2016). Hamilton’s Rule and Theoretical Implications. In: Weekes-Shackelford, V., Shackelford, T., Weekes-Shackelford, V. (eds) Encyclopedia of Evolutionary Psychological Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16999-6_1488-1
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