Altruistic Behavior Is

Question

Altruistic behavior is
A) more likely among kin than among nonkin.
B) more likely among nonkin than among kin.
C) equally likely among kin or nonkin.
D) rare between parent and offspring but common between siblings.

Accepted Answer

Altruistic behavior, which involves an individual acting for the benefit of another individual or group at some cost or disadvantage to themselves, is more likely among kin than among nonkin due to the concept of inclusive fitness. Inclusive fitness suggests that an organism's genetic success is based on the passing on of genes not just through their own reproduction but also through the reproduction of their relatives who share similar genes. Thus, individuals are more likely to exhibit altruistic behaviors towards genetic relatives as it increases the chance of their shared genes being passed on.