kin selection

American  

noun

Biology.

1. a form of natural selection that favors altruistic behavior toward close relatives resulting in an increase in the altruistic individual's genetic contribution to the next generation.

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kin selection British  

noun

1. biology natural selection resulting from altruistic behaviour by animals towards members of the same species, esp their offspring or other relatives

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Example Sentences

This phenomenon, in which one member of a species forgoes its own chance to reproduce so that another can, is called kin selection.

From Science Magazine

And this, says Robert Poulin, a parasitologist at the University of Otago who was not involved, is “a really cool case of kin selection pushed to the extreme.”

From Science Magazine

“Everybody is chasing the same goal, and kin selection gives them incentives” Dr. Creel said.

From New York Times

The theory of “kin selection” suggests that there are genetic advantages.

From Los Angeles Times

For example, in his chapter on sociality, he explores the costs and benefits of the development of complex societies on earth, showing how cooperation forms when it's evolutionarily advantageous, and extrapolating a theory that as long as relatedness exists on alien planets, kin selection will drive at least some cooperation in those societies.

From Salon