A theory for the evolution of other-regard integrating proximate and ultimate perspectives.

ABSTRACT: Although much previous work describes evolutionary mechanisms that promote or stabilize different social behaviors, we still have little understanding of the factors that drive animal behavior proximately. Here we present a modeling approach to answer this question. Our model rests on motivations to achieve objectives as the proximate determinants of behavior. We develop a two-tiered framework by first modeling the dynamics of a social interaction at the behavioral time scale and then find the evolutionarily stable objectives that result from the outcomes these dynamics produce. We use this framework to ask whether "other-regarding" motivations, which result from a kind of nonselfish objective, can evolve when individuals are engaged in a social interaction that entails a conflict between

SUBMITTER: Akcay E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2776409 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature