Group Selection

Definition

A theoretical evolutionary process where selection acts at the level of groups of individuals, favoring those groups that function better as a whole, sometimes at the expense of individual fitness.

Etymology

Combines the concepts of 'group' and 'selection', emphasizing the focus on collective units rather than individual members.

Example

In some social insects, such as bees and ants, group selection can favor groups that exhibit cooperative behavior, even if those behaviors are costly to individual members.

Related Terms

• Social Behavior
• Cooperation
• Kin Selection