(Press-News.org) KNOXVILLE – In many group-living species, high-rank individuals bully their group-mates to get what they want, but their contribution is key to success in conflict with other groups, according to a study that sheds new light on the evolutionary roots of cooperation and group conflict.
In a series of mathematical models, researchers from the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis and the University of Oxford uncovered a mechanism for explaining how between-group conflict influences within-group cooperation and how genes for this behavior might be maintained in the population by natural selection.
Humans are unique in their innate ability and willingness to cooperate within groups ranging in size from small-scale forager bands to nations of millions of individuals. Yet, cooperation has its downsides as it can lead to what scientists call "the collective action problem," which says that if individual effort is costly and a group member can benefit from the action of group-mates, then there is an incentive to "free-ride," whereby effort is reduced or withdrawn completely. If a number of group-mates follow this logic, the public good is not produced and all group members suffer. The collective action problem also occurs in conflicts between groups: everyone benefits from the group's success, but achieving success requires costly contributions by members of the group.
The study, issued today as open access in the journal Nature Communications, shows that the collective action problem can be overcome in groups that have a hierarchical structure and high inequality. When within-group hierarchy and inequality are well established, high-rank individuals effectively spend their effort on competition with their peers in other groups. This competition then results in a seemingly altruistic behavior of the high-rank individuals as they make stronger effort, pay higher costs, and get smaller net benefit than their low-rank group mates who free-ride contributing nothing. The study also found that the total group effort that a group directs toward between-group conflict typically increases with the degree of hierarchy and inequality within the group.
The results are consistent with observations in nature across a range of species. The study cites chimpanzees, for example, whose high-rank males travel further into the periphery of the group during border patrols, and ring-tail lemurs and blue monkeys whose high-rank females participate more in the defense of communal feeding territories.
"As far as within-group interactions are concerned, the alpha males and females are 'bad guys' taking various resources from their group-mates. However, in between-group conflicts they become 'good guys' and their presence and effort benefit everybody else," said Sergey Gavrilets, NIMBioS' associate director for scientific activities and the study's lead author.
While the study focuses on social instincts, those genetically-based biases affecting individual behavior in social interactions, the authors point out that human behavior is controlled not only by genes but also by other factors, including culture, the environment and rational choice. The study suggests that humans may have an innate preference for an egalitarian social structure when there is relatively little between-group conflict and, conversely, an innate preference for a hierarchical social structure when levels of between-group conflict are high. The study also predicts that humans who find themselves in a leadership position may exhibit seemingly altruistic behavior.
INFORMATION:
Citation: Gavrilets S, Fortunato L. 2014. A solution to the collective action problem in between-group conflict with within-group inequality. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4526
The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) brings together researchers from around the world to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries to investigate solutions to basic and applied problems in the life sciences. NIMBioS is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture with additional support from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The altruistic side of aggressive greed
Study explains new twist in group cooperation
2014-03-26
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Recent California symposium highlights women injured in the workplace
2014-03-26
Recent California symposium highlights women injured in the workplace
Article provided by Sacks & Zolonz, LLP
Visit us at http://www.sackszolonzdefense.com
In February the California Applicants' Attorneys Association held a symposium regarding workplace injuries that affect women. "Working Women's Injuries Symposium: Causes, Consequences and Prevention" examined the causes of injuries to women in the workplace and attempted to generate policies that would reduce and better address women's safety while at work.
At the symposium, experts and safety advocates ...
NJ congressman supports federal LGBT employment discrimination ban
2014-03-26
NJ congressman supports federal LGBT employment discrimination ban
Article provided by Piro, Zinna, Cifelli, Paris & Genitempo, L.L.C.
Visit us at http://www.pirozinnalaw.com
Longtime New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr., D-N.J., sent a March 18, 2014, letteralong with 220 other members of Congress to President Barack Obama urging him to issue an executive order banning federal contractors from discriminating in employment on the basis of sexual orientation or sexual identity.
ENDA
newjerseynewsroom.com quotes Pallone as also hoping the U.S. House of Representatives ...
Patient care often disrupted by bullying, study shows
2014-03-26
Patient care often disrupted by bullying, study shows
Article provided by Breslin & Breslin, P.A.
Visit us at http://www.njmedmallaw.com
Bullying has recently become an issue of national attention as more people speak up about the problem and its potentially devastating consequences. Although these conversations often focus on school children, bullying also occurs in many adult environments -- including the doctor's office.
In some cases, a recent study shows, medical bullying can negatively affect patient care, potentially increasing the risk of serious problems ...
Maryland child support: it's all about the kids, and the guidelines
2014-03-26
Maryland child support: it's all about the kids, and the guidelines
Article provided by Jeffrey N. Greenblatt of Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, PA
Visit us at http://www.jnglaw.net
Facing divorce is tough enough, but when minor children are involved, the stakes are even higher for both parents. Not only does a parent face uncertainty about where the children will live and how parenting time will be divided, but also concern about child support, whether he or she is likely to pay it or receive it.
Of course, each parent has the legal and ethical obligation to support ...
Unresolved foreclosure issues a problem for many New Yorkers
2014-03-26
Unresolved foreclosure issues a problem for many New Yorkers
Article provided by The Law Offices of Allison B. Crain & Associates
Visit us at http://www.crainlaw.com
New York ranks third in the nation in the number of homeowners delinquent on their mortgages or in foreclosure, the Mortgage Bankers Association recently reported. In 2013, the number of foreclosures reached a three-year high in the state. Experts speculate that the number of high foreclosures is partially due to a still-sluggish local economy. While the unemployment rate is lower than it has been ...
Safety tips to protect motorcyclists on the road
2014-03-26
Safety tips to protect motorcyclists on the road
Article provided by Woods Law KC, LLC
Visit us at http://www.woodslawkc.com
As winter comes to a close and the weather improves, many Kansas City residents will start traveling by motorcycle to take advantage of the warmth. With the increase in motorcycle traffic, however, comes a rise in the risk of serious motorcycle accidents.
While the number of fatalities caused by most types of motor vehicle accidents has decreased in recent years, the number of motorcycle fatalities has been on the rise, according to the ...
Simply carrying a metal pipe was not illegal possession of a weapon
2014-03-26
Simply carrying a metal pipe was not illegal possession of a weapon
Article provided by Bruce Yerman, Attorney at Law
Visit us at http://www.criminal-defense-law-nyc.com
New York laws are tough on those who illegally possess guns. However, a firearm is not the only way you could find yourself facing severe weapons charges. Many other weapons are illegal, including items such as electronic stun guns, gravity knives, metal knuckles and more.
You might suspect that a knife could be considered a weapon. But what if you simply had a metal pipe in your hand, with no ...
Divorce and its impact on financial aid for college-aged children
2014-03-26
Divorce and its impact on financial aid for college-aged children
Article provided by Shimalla, Wechsler, Lepp & D'Onofrio, LLP
Visit us at http://www.cswlawnj.com
After divorce, many parents in Somerset County face a number of financial challenges. Not only must they now support a household on one income, but if they have children who they expect will go to college, they may be concerned about how they will support themselves, their families and help their children pay college expenses. It may surprise you to learn that children of divorced parents may have ...
Arizona drivers might want to think twice before refusing a breath test
2014-03-26
Arizona drivers might want to think twice before refusing a breath test
Article provided by The Law Office of Cary L. Lackey, PC
Visit us at http://www.carylackeylaw.com/
Many Arizona motorists may be astonished to learn that by simply driving a motor vehicle in the state they have already consented to alcohol testing if arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). This is typically referred to as Arizona's "admin per se" or implied consent law.
In fact, this "implied consent" is rooted in an Arizona statute that dictates police may subject a driver to blood, ...
Medical debt; why it's different from any other debt
2014-03-26
Medical debt; why it's different from any other debt
Article provided by Law Offices of Andrew H. Griffin III
Visit us at http://www.andrewgriffinlawoffice.com
Many individuals struggling to pay debt likely understand what they owe. Their credit card balance shows the exact outstanding balance and their minimum monthly payment. Their mortgage statement reveals each monthly mortgage payment and any arrearages.
But what about medical bills? In many cases, individuals who undergo a surgical or any other procedure do not leave the hospital with a concrete statement ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Cercus electric stimulation enables cockroach with trajectory control and spatial cognition training
Day-long conference addresses difficult to diagnose lung disease
First-ever cardiogenic shock academy features simulation lab
Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained
Less intensive works best for agricultural soil
Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation
Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests
Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome
UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership
New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll
Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025
Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025
AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials
New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age
Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker
Chips off the old block
Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia
Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry
Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19
Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity
State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections
Young adults drive historic decline in smoking
NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research
Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development
This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack
FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology
In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity
Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects
A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions
[Press-News.org] The altruistic side of aggressive greedStudy explains new twist in group cooperation