Cooperation

Cooperation is the process of groups of organisms working or acting together for common, mutual, or some underlying benefit, as opposed to working in competition for selfish benefit. Many animal and plant species cooperate both with other members of their own species and with members of other species (symbiosis or mutualism).

Biological Cooperation

Biological cooperation can occur between individuals of the same species or individuals of different species. The cooperation among individuals can be either direct or indirect. In direct cooperation, individuals cooperate to benefit themselves and others. In indirect cooperation, individuals help others as a means to help themselves.

Types of Cooperation

There are several types of cooperation, including direct reciprocity, indirect reciprocity, mutualism, and group selection.

Direct Reciprocity

Direct reciprocity occurs when there is repeated interaction between the same individuals. In this case, an individual can benefit from cooperating if the same individual is likely to return the favor in the future.

Indirect Reciprocity

Indirect reciprocity, also known as "I scratch your back, you scratch someone else's back", occurs when an individual cooperates with another individual, and this increases the cooperative individual's reputation. This reputation, in turn, increases the likelihood that others will cooperate with the individual in the future.

Mutualism

Mutualism is a form of cooperation where both parties benefit. This can occur between individuals of the same species or between individuals of different species.

Group Selection

Group selection involves a specific group of individuals cooperating to survive and reproduce. This can lead to an increase in the frequency of genes that promote cooperative behavior.

See Also

• Altruism
• Game theory
• Kin selection
• Social behavior

References

Cooperation Resources
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