Cited by 1,259Evolutionary Game Theory and CooperationEvolution and Genetic DynamicsAnimal Behavior and Reproduction

A theory of group selection.

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Wilson, D S·1975·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

In organisms possessing a dispersal phase the processes of mating, competition, feeding, and predation are often carried out within "trait-groups," defined as populations enclosed in areas smaller than the boundaries of the deme. A simple model shows that this can lead to the selection of "altruistic" traits that favor the fitness of the group over that of the individual. The extent of group selection that occurs depends mainly on the variation in the composition of genotypes between trait-groups. The traditional concepts of group and individual selection are seen as two extremes of a continuum, with systems in nature operating over the interval in between.

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Crossref · 10.1073/pnas.72.1.143

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1 of 1 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Wilson constructed his trait group model to demonstrate that group selection at the supraindividual level can lead to the coexistence of altruistic individuals with inferior fitness compared to more selfish, opportunistic ones.

    “Wilson constructed his trait group model (TGM, structured deme model) [39,90] to demonstrate that group selection at the supraindividual level can lead to the coexistence of altruistic individuals with inferior fitness compared to more selfish, opportunistic ones.”
  • People are nicer to others if third parties were nicer to them.

    “People are nicer to others if third parties were nicer to them.”

    From Evolution of indirect reciprocity (2005) · cites this paper as [58]

  • The image score of potential recipients correlates well with their expectation to actually receive money.

    “In particular, the image score of potential recipients correlates well with their expectation to actually receive money 58 .”

    From Evolution of indirect reciprocity (2005) · cites this paper as [58]

  • In experimental situations which are not based on rigid networks, the decisions of donors also tend to mirror their own recent experience.

    “In experimental situations which are not based on rigid networks, the decisions of donors also tend to mirror their own recent experience 58,63 .”

    From Evolution of indirect reciprocity (2005) · cites this paper as [58]

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Authors
Wilson, D. S.
Corresponding author
Wilson, D S
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
1975-01
Volume
72
Issue
1
Pages
143-146
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2087169316
Cited by
1,259
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 22 · 2025: 41 · 2024: 75 · 2023: 31 · 2022: 70 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 65 · 2017: 32 · 2016: 49 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 30
FWCI
74.93
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
Keywords
group selection, altruism, dispersal, demes, individual selection, kin selection, evolutionary theory, predation and competition
MeSH terms
Animals, Behavior, Animal, Ecology, Biological Evolution, Gene Frequency, Genetics, Population, Genotype, Mathematics, Models, Biological, Selection, Genetic, Genetic Variation

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