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Rationality and social behavior.

Jan Tullberg1

  • 1Stockholm School of Economics, PO Box 6501, SE-113 83 Stockholm, Sweden. jan.tullberg@hhs.se

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|September 6, 2003
PubMed
Summary

This study examines social behavior and rationality, finding that group selection is unlikely to explain altruism. Instead, group egoism, with traits like conformism, offers a more rational and empirically supported mechanism for group selection.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Psychology
  • Behavioral Economics
  • Social Dynamics

Background:

  • The relationship between social behavior and rationality is complex, with altruism often debated.
  • Existing models struggle to reconcile altruistic behaviors with rational self-interest.
  • Newcomb's paradox highlights the tension between irrationality and perceived rationality in decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically analyze the link between social behavior and rationality.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of group selection as a mechanism for altruism.
  • To explore alternative group selection models, particularly group egoism.

Main Methods:

  • Critical analysis of existing theories on altruism and group selection.
  • Examination of concepts like Newcomb's paradox.
  • Review of empirical evidence for social traits like conformism and out-group antagonism.

Main Results:

  • Efforts to explain altruism through strict group selection have been unsuccessful.
  • Group selection is more likely to operate in conjunction with group egoism.
  • Empirical evidence supports the prevalence of traits aligned with group egoism, such as conformism.

Conclusions:

  • Group selection, when strictly defined, does not adequately explain altruism.
  • Group egoism provides a more plausible and rational framework for understanding group selection.
  • Traits like conformism and out-group antagonism are likely favored by group selection due to their homogenizing effect on groups.

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