kin selection
noun
: a theory of natural selection which states that a usually altruistic behavior or attribute that lowers the fitness of a particular individual is selected for if it increases the probability of survival and reproduction of related kin who possess some or all of the same genes as the altruistic individual
Examples of kin selection in a Sentence
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Most modern human societies rely instead on cultural kin selection, a process allowing people to feel closely related to what are, in a biological sense, total strangers.
—
Robert Sapolsky, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2019
In subsequent centuries, as evolutionary biology and genetics matured, scientists converged on a resolution to this paradox: Behavior that appeared to be altruistic was often just another manifestation of selfish genes — a phenomenon known as kin selection.
—New York Times, 2 Dec. 2020
But that is not kin selection.
—Pamela Weintraub, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2011
The fifth mechanism is a version of the familiar kin selection, the tendency to cooperate with blood relations.
—Kristin Ohlson, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2012
Their expectations were that in regards to the evolution of altruism kin selection should be inferior to genetic similarity which should be inferior to the green-beard effect.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2010
Wilson resolved the paradox by drawing on the theory of kin selection.
—Pamela Weintraub, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2011
In one set of trials the organisms operated through conventional means of kin selection, whereby the heuristic was to favor those to whom an individual was closely related.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2010
The author compares her own model of altruism with other evolutionary explanations currently in vogue, notably kin selection, in which supposed altruists are in fact working for the survival of genes located within their relatives.
—David P. Barash, WSJ, 6 May 2022
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Robert Sapolsky, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2019
In subsequent centuries, as evolutionary biology and genetics matured, scientists converged on a resolution to this paradox: Behavior that appeared to be altruistic was often just another manifestation of selfish genes — a phenomenon known as kin selection.
—New York Times, 2 Dec. 2020
But that is not kin selection.
—Pamela Weintraub, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2011
The fifth mechanism is a version of the familiar kin selection, the tendency to cooperate with blood relations.
—Kristin Ohlson, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2012
Their expectations were that in regards to the evolution of altruism kin selection should be inferior to genetic similarity which should be inferior to the green-beard effect.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2010
Wilson resolved the paradox by drawing on the theory of kin selection.
—Pamela Weintraub, Discover Magazine, 28 Apr. 2011
In one set of trials the organisms operated through conventional means of kin selection, whereby the heuristic was to favor those to whom an individual was closely related.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2010
The author compares her own model of altruism with other evolutionary explanations currently in vogue, notably kin selection, in which supposed altruists are in fact working for the survival of genes located within their relatives.
—David P. Barash, WSJ, 6 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Kin selection.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kin%20selection. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
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kin selection
noun
: a theory of natural selection which states that a usually altruistic behavior or attribute that lowers the fitness of a particular individual is selected for if it increases the probability of survival and reproduction of related kin who possess some or all of the same genes as the altruistic individual
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