The power of the weak: When altruism is the equilibrium

Behav Brain Sci. 2023 May 8:46:e54. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X22002011.

Abstract

A rational economic analysis complements Grossmann's fearful ape hypothesis. Two examples of mixed-motive games with strong inter-dependence (i.e., weak chirping nestling, boxed pigs) demonstrate that signaling weakness is a dominant strategy. Weakness elicits cooperative, caring response, comprising the equilibrium of the game. In extensive form, a reliable reputation of weakness elicits caring as a sequential equilibrium.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Altruism*
  • Animals
  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Motivation
  • Swine