Cited by 217Evolutionary Game Theory and CooperationExperimental Behavioral Economics StudiesEvolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior

Evolution of cooperation by generalized reciprocity

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Pfeiffer, Thomas, Rutte, Claudia, Killingback, Timothy, Taborsky, Michael, Bonhoeffer, Sebastian·2005·Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences

Abstract

The evolution of cooperation by direct reciprocity requires that individuals recognize their present partner and remember the outcome of their last encounter with that specific partner. Direct reciprocity thus requires advanced cognitive abilities. Here, we demonstrate that if individuals repeatedly interact within small groups with different partners in a two person Prisoner's Dilemma, cooperation can emerge and also be maintained in the absence of such cognitive capabilities. It is sufficient for an individual to base their decision of whether or not to cooperate on the outcome of their last encounter—even if it was with a different partner.

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  • Reputation mechanisms have played an important role in the emergence of medieval trade.

    “Reputation mechanisms have also played an important role in the emergence of medieval trade 78 .”

    From Evolution of indirect reciprocity (2005) · cites this paper as [78]

    The Introduction discusses generalized reciprocity and briefly notes related work in economics; the Conclusions and discussion describe simulations of cooperation in small groups. Neither section addresses reputation mechanisms or the emergence of medieval trade (searched: medieval trade, reputation, merchants, and historical trade). (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Authors
Pfeiffer, T., Rutte, C., Killingback, T., Taborsky, M., & Bonhoeffer, S.
Affiliations
  • University of Bern (CH)
  • ETH Zurich (CH)
  • Behavioural Ecology, University of Berne, CH-3032 Hinterkappelen, Switzerland
Corresponding author
Pfeiffer, Thomas
Venue
Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Published
2005-06-02
Volume
272
Issue
1568
Pages
1115-1120
ISSN
  • 0080-4649 (ISSN-L)
  • 0962-8452
  • 1471-2954
OpenAlex
W2037110518
Cited by
217
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 12 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 6
FWCI
19.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • IRIS (submittedVersion)
  • SERVAL (Université de Lausanne) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
  • Social Sciences › Safety Research › Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior
Keywords
evolution of cooperation, generalized reciprocity, direct reciprocity, prisoner's dilemma, repeated interaction, small groups, cognitive ability
MeSH terms
Altruism, Cognition, Computer Simulation, Cooperative Behavior, Biological Evolution, Game Theory, Humans, Markov Chains, Models, Theoretical

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