Altruism
- Pronunciation
- /al-TROO-iz-um/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Altruism
- Plural
- Altruisms
Definition
Behavior that benefits another individual at a cost to the altruist, common in social insects like bees and ants.
Etymology
Example
A worker bee sacrificing its reproductive potential to raise its sisters in the hive is an example of altruism.
Related Terms
- Kin selection
- Inclusive fitness
- Social insects