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# Kin Selection: Its Components

Science
New Series, Vol. 210, No. 4470 (Nov. 7, 1980), pp. 665-667
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1685180
Page Count: 3
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## Abstract

Change in gene frequency under kin selection is the sum of two components, namely, $\overline{\Delta \text{q}_{I}}$, a change in gene frequency caused by individual selection, and $\Delta$q$_{G}$, a change caused by group selection. For the evolution of altruistic traits by kin selection, $\overline{\Delta \text{q}_{I}}$ is always negative--that is, individual selection operates against altruism--and $\Delta$q$_{G}$ is always positive, so that selection between groups favors altruism. Hamilton's rule specifies the conditions under which $\Delta$q$_{G}>|\overline{\Delta \text{q}_{I}}|$--that is, the conditions necessary for intergroup selection to override individual selection.

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