Chapter 51, Problem 7IQ

Summary Introduction

To explain: Whether an individual more likely to exhibit altruistic behavior toward a parent, a sibling, or a first cousin.

Introduction: Hamilton’s hypothesis measures the effect of altruism on fitness. The three variables according to Hamilton’s hypothesis are benefit to the recipient (B), cost to altruist (C), and coefficient of relatedness (r). The benefit B is the benefit to the recipient of the altruistic act so it can produce extra offspring. The cost, C, is to the animal exhibiting altruism, which results in fewer offspring produced. The coefficient of relatedness, r is the number of shared genes.