If B = the benefit of a behavior to a recipient, C = the cost of the behavior of the donor, and r = the degree of relatedness between the recipient and donor, then if rB C, altruism can evolve.

Question

If B = the benefit of a behavior to a recipient, C = the cost of the behavior of the donor, and r = the degree of relatedness between the recipient and donor, then if rB > C, altruism can evolve.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is known as Hamilton's rule in evolutionary biology, which states that altruistic behavior can evolve if the relatedness between the recipient and donor multiplied by the benefit of the behavior to the recipient is greater than the cost of the behavior to the donor. Therefore, if rB > C, altruism can evolve.

If B = the Benefit of a Behavior to a Recipient