Social evolution

Social evolution

Social evolution is a subdiscipline of evolutionary biology that is concerned with social behaviours, i.e. those that have fitness consequences for individuals other than the actor. Social behaviours can be categorized according to the fitness consequences they entail for the actor and recipient. A behaviour that increases the direct fitness of the actor is mutually beneficial if the recipient also benefits, and selfish if the recipient suffers a loss. A behaviour that reduces the fitness of the actor is altruistic if the recipient benefits, and spiteful if the recipient suffers a loss.

This classification was proposed by W. D. Hamilton.Fact|date=September 2007 It is easy to see how natural selection favours mutually beneficial or selfish behaviours. Hamilton's insight was to show how kin selection could explain altruism and spite.

"Social Evolution" is also the title of an important work by Benjamin Kidd.

ee also

*Altruism
*Kin selection
*Spite
*Social Darwinism
*Sociocultural evolution
*Evolutionary psychology
*Evolutionary Game Theory

References

* Frank, S.A. (1998). "Foundations of social evolution". Princeton University Press, Princeton NJ. [http://stevefrank.org/foundations/foundations.pdf]

* Hamilton, W.D. (1964). The genetical evolution of social behaviour I and II. — "Journal of Theoretical Biology" 7: 1-16 and 17-52.

*


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Social Evolution — is the title of an essay by Benjamin Kidd, which became available as a book published by Macmillan and co London in 1894. In it, Kidd discusses the basis for society as an evolving phenomenon, with reference to past societies, the important… …   Wikipedia

  • social evolution — social evolution. См. общественная эволюция. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • Social Evolution & History — Infobox Journal|title=Social Evolution History discipline=History, Anthropology, Social Sciences language=English abbreviation=SEH website= [http://www.uchitel izd.ru/index.php?option=content task=view id=22 Itemid=51 Informational URL] publisher …   Wikipedia

  • social evolution — Sociol. the gradual development of society and social forms, institutions, etc., usually through a series of peaceful stages. Cf. revolution (def. 2). * * * …   Universalium

  • social evolution — /soʊʃəl ɛvəˈluʃən/ (say sohshuhl evuh loohshuhn) noun → social development …  

  • social evolution — Sociol. the gradual development of society and social forms, institutions, etc., usually through a series of peaceful stages. Cf. revolution (def. 2) …   Useful english dictionary

  • social evolution — See evolutionism …   Dictionary of sociology

  • Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa — Mouvement pour l évolution sociale de l Afrique noire Founded 28 September 1949 Dissolved 24 November 1979 Headquarters Bangui, Central African Republic …   Wikipedia

  • Center for Social Evolution and Symbiosis (Copenhagen University) — The Centre for Social Evolution and Symbiosis at the University of Copenhagen studies the ecology, evolution, and population genetics of complex insect societies, using ants and termites as its major empirical model systems.… …   Wikipedia

  • Social Darwinism — is a term commonly used for theories of society that emerged in England and the United States in the 1870s, seeking to apply the principles of Darwinian evolution to sociology and politics.[1] It especially refers to notions of struggle for… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”