Natural selection and social preferences

J Theor Biol. 2006 Mar 7;239(1):79-92. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2005.07.014. Epub 2005 Sep 19.

Abstract

A large number of individuals are randomly matched into groups, where each group plays a finite symmetric game. Individuals breed true. The expected number of surviving offspring depends on own material payoff, but may also, due to cooperative breeding and/or reproductive competition, depend on the material payoffs to other group members. The induced population dynamic is equivalent with the replicator dynamic for a game with payoffs derived from those in the original game. We apply this selection dynamic to a number of examples, including prisoners' dilemma games with and without a punishment option, coordination games, and hawk-dove games. For each of these, we compare the outcomes with those obtained under the standard replicator dynamic. By way of a revealed-preference argument, our selection dynamic can explain certain "altruistic" and "spiteful" behaviors that are consistent with individuals having social preferences.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Game Theory*
  • Group Processes
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Models, Genetic
  • Models, Psychological
  • Selection, Genetic*