Reciprocal altruism

The accommodation of some piece of evidence e by some theory T undoubtedly tells us something positive about T—namely that it is at least consistent with e. When, as sometimes happens, it begins to seem as if there is no possible explanation for some evidence within some theory, then even finding an accommodation of that evidence may give scientists more confidence in the theory. Something like this happened, for example, with Darwinian evolutionary theory and the widespread phenomenon of apparently altruistic behaviour—the consistency proof in that case coming in the form of the theories of kin selection and reciprocal altruism. 

Trivers description of human reciprocal altruism certainly gives prominence to emotions. This behavioral system may have evolved from dominance hierarchization, an ethological concept (Weisfeld, 1980). There seems to be an opportunity to analyze other social psychological phenomena in adaptive terms usually they are explained only in terms of very narrow, specific mini-theories. Roes (1993) has offered an evolutionary explanation of reactance theory, for example. 

Trivers, R. The evolution of reciprocal altruism. Quarterly Review of Bioiogxf 46 ( 97J)r 35-57-... 

Members of groups may choose cooperative solutions that are better for the group as a whole for many different reasons (Dawes et al. 1988). Groups may apply numerous forms of coercion to punish members who deviate from the cooperative solutions. Group members may apply decision strategies such as reciprocal altruism. They also might conform because of their social conscience, a need for... 

Adv. social needs Social status/recognition Concern Reciprocal altruism... 

One important mode of altruism, reciprocal altruism (e.g., in the Prisoner s dilemma), can evolve under certain conditions, such as repeated interactions. However, the first replicases were unlikely to have a mechanism to decide whether or not to cooperate, so reciprocal altmism will not be considered further here. 

Herman, G. 1998. Reciprocity, Altruism and the Prisoner s Dilemma The Special Case of Classical Athens. In C. Gill, N. Postlethwaite, and R. Seaford, eds., pp. 199-225. 

Gerard-Varet L-A, Kolm S-C, Ythier J (2000) The economies of reciprocity, giving and altruism. Macmillan, Basingstoke... 

Now, it would not be possible to manipulate the nonn of reciprocity unless it had a grip on people, since otherwise there would be nothing to manipulate. Tumbuirs account demonstrates both the fragility of altruism and its robustness. 

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