kin selection

noun

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Definition of kin selection

: 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

Recent Examples of kin selection from the Web

For kin selection, that’s direct versus indirect benefits.

— jordana cepelewicz, Scientific American, "The Elusive Calculus of Insect Altruism," 26 Apr. 2018
The framework of inclusive fitness theory provides a good way to envision the role played by kin selection and relatedness.

— jordana cepelewicz, Scientific American, "The Elusive Calculus of Insect Altruism," 26 Apr. 2018
The new model could even be applied to research on kin selection in plants.

— jordana cepelewicz, Scientific American, "The Elusive Calculus of Insect Altruism," 26 Apr. 2018
Others help genetic relatives in a motivation called kin selection.

— lynn johnson, National Geographic, "How Fear Makes You Do Good Or Evil," 3 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'kin selection.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.