Animal Altruism and Co-Operation: A Selected Bibliography

Abstract

Darwin's and Spencer's respective doctrines of “natural selection” and “survival of the fittest” have influenced psychologists' research for the past century. That is, there has been a substantial amount of research devoted to aggression and competition, while little research has been undertaken concerning co-operation and altruism. Both Darwin and Spencer, however, felt that species capable of co-operation, mutual aid, and altruism would be favored by natural selection. Thus, according to Darwinian-Spencerian theory altruism is a logical axis for the study of animal behavior. To that end, a bibliography listing studies concerning the development and maintenance of altruistic and co-operative behavior in animals is offered.