The evolution of cooperative hierarchies through natural selection processes.

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Abstract

According to a bioeconomic model called skew selection, individuals form cooperative hierarchies when coping with high risk environments that include predators and cycles of scarce resources. This paper reports a study that used agent-based computer simulations to experimentally test the predictions of skew selection. Results of the experiment showed that successful face-to-face transaction strategies varied with environmental risks. Risks involving resource scarcity favored clustering and stealing. Risks involving predators favored clustering and hoarding. A combination of risks involving resource scarcity and predators favored clustering and sharing. Wealthy donors gained safety-in-numbers to protect them from predators; at the same time, marginal recipients gained resources to protect them from starving. In summary, our findings show that even though natural selection is not a moral process, it can produce moral behavior.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalDefault journal
StatePublished - Jan 1 2010

Keywords

  • Altruism
  • Skew selection
  • Bioeconomics
  • Parental exploitation
  • Tit-for-tat transactions

Disciplines

  • Biology
  • Life Sciences

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