altruistic behaviour

behaviour which involves an unselfish regard for others. In organisms other than man altruism probably only exists where the benefits to the individual performing the behaviour are greater than those to the individual to whom the particular behaviour is directed, i.e. phenotypic altruism. For example, parental care of the young is clearly of genetic benefit to the individual parent, since it ensures that its genes are transmitted. See also KIN SELECTION.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

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Altruistic behaviour such as helping an unfamiliar person in need is considered a key feature of cooperation in human societies.

Infants' attention to fearful faces predicts later altruism

In short, some values make us act in more selfish and competitive ways, while others are associated with more cooperative and altruistic behaviour.

A matter of values: JUST AS ACF'S 'DRIVERS OF UNSUSTAINABILITY' RESEARCH HAS UNCOVERED, VALUES ARE PART OF THE PROBLEM AND THE SOLUTION. HERE, WE INTRODUCE THE 'COMMON CAUSE' METHODOLOGY TO EXPLAIN THE WAY INTRINSIC VALUES CAN BE USED TO MOTIVATE SUPPORT FOR A HEALTHY PLANET

The theory of kin selection has for some time allowed biologists to explain why some animals and other organisms adopt altruistic behaviour, at their own expense, for the benefit of their relatives.

Blame your genes for being nasty; SUNDAY SHORTS

It is thought that human brains may have evolved to favour altruistic behaviour through the development of these areas of the brain.

Monkeys Sharing Juice Gives Clues to Autism Disorders

Release date- 16082012 - Neighbourhood income deprivation has a strong negative effect on altruistic behaviour when measured by a 'lost letter' experiment, according to new UCL research published today in PLoS One.

-UCL -Lost letter experiment suggests wealthy London neighbourhoods are 'more altruistic'

There has never been a time in human history when we have not relied on co-operative, altruistic behaviour for our survival.

Such a thing as society

In fact, altruistic behaviour of economic agencies has sometimes been observed and under such situations technical externalities may be exerted after internalization without intervention of parties other than the interested ones.

Technical externality in the context of altruism

Empathy is a motive of altruistic behaviour. Empathy is a source of human altruism that evolved as a by-product of strategic thought.

Empathy as a source of attitude change

Animals are capable of love, have powerful memories, display altruistic behaviour, vanity & self- consciousness, can be caring and have a sense of fun.

Deluded humans should pay respect to animals

Altruistic behaviour originally proved difficult to explain in evolutionary terms: in a simple Darwinian world, any gene promoting altruism should be rapidly driven to extinction.

Kinship and altruism: a cross-cultural experimental study

In this sense, Hamilton's rule defines an altruistic behaviour in family firms where the cost of altruism is less than the benefit weighted by relatedness.