kin selection

a variation of natural selection that favors behavior by individuals that will increase the chances of their relatives surviving and reproducing successfully (see altruism). Individuals share 50% of their genes with a parent or sibling, so if they risk their own ability to reproduce or survive but help their parents or more than two siblings to reproduce or survive, they will benefit indirectly by gaining inclusive fitness. Compare direct selection; individual selection.

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Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

paradigm clash

in science or philosophy, the conflict that occurs when a new set of fundamental assumptions about reality or human knowledge proves incompatible with an established set of such assumptions. For example, the doctrine of organic evolution challenged established thinking about the origin and nature of the living world and ultimately replaced previous theories.