{"id":33763,"date":"2021-04-21T20:31:18","date_gmt":"2021-04-22T00:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=33763"},"modified":"2021-04-30T12:08:53","modified_gmt":"2021-04-30T16:08:53","slug":"reciprocal-altruism-theory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/reciprocal-altruism-theory\/","title":{"rendered":"Reciprocal Altruism Theory: Selfish Selflessness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why do we feel a strong urge to repay favors, even from strangers? How does altruism lead to happiness? Is it possible to feel good while faking altruism?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reciprocal altruism<\/a> theory states that we treat others as we have been treated by them. In other words, we may help others at a cost to ourselves, in hopes that others will repay the favor. This altruistic behavior came from evolution because by doing good for others, we are doing good for ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading to learn more about the reciprocal altruism theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Do Unto Others<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One key factor that affects our happiness is the strength of our connections to other people<\/strong>. The reciprocal altruism theory\u2014the phenomenon by which we treat others as we have been treated by them\u2014is one of the strongest ties that bind society together. In this article, we\u2019ll explore the origins of the reciprocal altruism theory, why it acts as such a strong binding agent, and how it shapes and governs our happiness by strengthening our relationships with other people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reciprocal Altruism Theory<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Kin altruism<\/a> is the mechanism by which individuals care for and protect individuals within their kin group (those with whom they share a blood relation). It\u2019s observed in the behavior of many non-human animals and can be explained by simple Darwinian instincts: if the ultimate goal is to ensure the survival of one\u2019s genes, it makes sense to be altruistic toward other members of the kin group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But this does not fully explain the human <\/em>phenomenon of reciprocity as we observe it. Humans, unlike other animals, work with, care for, and protect people with whom they have minimal or no blood relation. If anything, such behavior cuts against <\/em>Darwinian impulse, as these other people are our \u201ccompetitors\u201d for scarce resources and their survival could be construed as hampering our own. Clearly, something else is going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What separates us from these other animals is the reciprocity reflex. This tells us to repay others when they do something for us. <\/strong>It\u2019s so deeply ingrained that we hardly think about it, yet we practice it all the time. When a friend treats you to lunch, you make sure you pick up the check the next time you go out; when your neighbors invite you to a party, you invite them the next time you\u2019re hosting an event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have an instinct to repay favors, even from strangers. From an evolutionary perspective, it works because it increases everyone\u2019s <\/em>chances of survival. The reciprocity reflex causes the other members of the group to help you if you have helped them, creating networks of mutual obligation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This reflex is supported by two emotional sub-reflexes\u2014gratitude and vengeance. Gratitude causes us to aid those who\u2019ve aided us in the past; vengeance causes us to withhold aid from those who\u2019ve been stingy or selfish, making it less likely that free riders will exploit the community\u2019s altruism. This opens up the possibility of mutually beneficial cooperation, which makes the group as a whole stronger and strengthens social ties between members of a community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Altruism and Happiness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Will self-sacrifice for others (which has become synonymous with morality in much of western thought) also be self-rewarding? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To answer that, we should briefly look at the two main explanations for why humans engage in altruistic behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n