Social selection is a powerful explanation for prosociality

Randolph Nesse

doi:10.1017/S0140525X15000308

Social selection is a powerful explanation for prosociality

Randolph Nesse

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Cultural group selection helps explain human cooperation but social selection offers a complementary more powerful explanation. Just as sexual selection shapes extreme traits that increase matings social selection shapes extreme traits that make individuals preferred social partners. Self-interested partner choices create strong and possibly runaway selection for prosocial traits without requiring group selection kin selection or reciprocity.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	e47
Journal	Behavioral and Brain Sciences
Volume	39
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X15000308
State	Published - 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology
Physiology
Behavioral Neuroscience

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10.1017/S0140525X15000308

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title = "Social selection is a powerful explanation for prosociality",

abstract = "Cultural group selection helps explain human cooperation but social selection offers a complementary more powerful explanation. Just as sexual selection shapes extreme traits that increase matings social selection shapes extreme traits that make individuals preferred social partners. Self-interested partner choices create strong and possibly runaway selection for prosocial traits without requiring group selection kin selection or reciprocity.",

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AB - Cultural group selection helps explain human cooperation but social selection offers a complementary more powerful explanation. Just as sexual selection shapes extreme traits that increase matings social selection shapes extreme traits that make individuals preferred social partners. Self-interested partner choices create strong and possibly runaway selection for prosocial traits without requiring group selection kin selection or reciprocity.

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JO - Behavioral and Brain Sciences

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Social selection is a powerful explanation for prosociality

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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