How to Calculate Hamilton’s Rule
To understand the calculation of Hamilton’s Rule few terms are important like:
- Relatedness (r): Relatedness measures how much genetic material two individuals have in common. In simpler words, it’s like looking at how much DNA they share. For instance, siblings usually have about half of their DNA in common, so their relatedness would be expressed as r=0.5.
- Benefit (B): Benefit is the advantage gained by the one who receives selfless actions. Put simply, it’s what the recipient gets out of the behavior. This could mean better chances of survival, more success in reproduction, or any other positive outcome.
- Cost (C): Cost refers to the drawback or sacrifice experienced by the individual who acts selflessly. It could mean giving up resources, spending time, or missing out on opportunities.
Once we get the values of r, B, and C one can easily put the values in the formula r B > C to calculate Hamilton’s Rule.
Hamilton’s Rule
Hamilton’s rule, also known as Hamilton’s principle, explains how altruistic behaviours evolve by considering the balance between the benefits to relatives and the costs to the individual. Hamilton’s Rule example is seen in altruistic behaviour in animals, where individuals sacrifice themselves to benefit relatives. This concept helps us understand why organisms, like ants and humans, engage in actions that help others even at their own expense.
It’s a key idea in evolutionary biology, shedding light on the emergence of cooperation and selflessness in populations over time. In this article, we will cover the Hamilton rule, formula, kin selection and more.
Table of Content
- What is Hamilton’s Rule?
- How to calculate Hamilton’s Rule
- Hamilton’s rule Example Problems
- Kin Selection
- Conclusion: Hamilton’s Rule
- FAQs on Hamilton’s Rule