Reciprocal Altruism
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
Why do non-relatives help each other? Because as long as both parties have repeated opportunities for interaction, and the cost of helping is less than the benefit to the recipient, altruistic genes can evolve. The core is delayed reciprocity.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
- Social ledger: The essence of building a network is not 'sucking up' but 'investing'. Your current altruistic behavior (helping colleagues) stores credit points for future help when you are in need.
Anchor fast decisions
The root of cooperation among non-relatives lies in delayed reciprocity under repeated interactions: when the cost of helping is less than the benefit to the recipient and the probability of future encounters is high, altruistic strategies are evolutionarily stable. Language and memory enable a 'social ledger', allowing individuals to balance giving and receiving over multiple interactions.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/5Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- zh.wikipedia.orghttps://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BA%92%E6%83%A0%E5%88%A9%E4%BB%96%E4%B8%BB%E7%BE%A9verified
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