Lecture: #9 (unexpected conflicts, unexpected cooperation)

Question 1

Maladaptive Behavior (due to mismatch)

Answer 1

In some cases when individuals behave so as to benefit other individuals while incurring a cost themselves, the behavior is actually evolutionarily maladaptive.

We can understand this in the context of evolutionary biology however, because it occurs as a result of individuals instincts causing them to follow “rules of thumb.” In the environment in which they evolved, the behaviors were actually adaptive, but due to the fact that the individual is no longer living in the environment to which it adapted (a case of mismatch), in today’s novel environment, the instinct leads to a maladaptive outcome.

Question 2

Complete theory of kindness (apparent altruism)

Answer 2

1. Kin selection / shared genes
2. Reciprocal altruism
3. Maladaptive Behavior (due to mismatch)