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Does similarity breed cooperation?

Author

Listed:
  • Gilbert Roberts

    (Evolution and Behaviour Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, Henry Wellcome Building for Neuroecology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne)

  • Thomas N. Sherratt

    (School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, University of Durham
    Carleton University)

Abstract

Reciprocity1, whether direct2 or indirect3, is thought to be the key to establishing cooperation among non-relatives. But Riolo et al.4 have presented a model in which cooperation is instead based on similarity: agents donate only when their partner's 'tag' lies within a 'tolerance' range around their own. Here we point out that their model requires individuals with identical tags to cooperate with each other, and show that cooperation tends to collapse when individuals bearing identical tags are given the option of not donating. We therefore question their mechanism for maintaining cooperation without reciprocity.

Suggested Citation

  • Gilbert Roberts & Thomas N. Sherratt, 2002. "Does similarity breed cooperation?," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6897), pages 499-500, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:418:y:2002:i:6897:d:10.1038_418499b
    DOI: 10.1038/418499b
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Jae-Woo Kim, 2010. "A Tag-Based Evolutionary Prisoner's Dilemma Game on Networks with Different Topologies," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 13(3), pages 1-2.
    2. Bunce, John A & McElreath, Richard, 2022. "Ethnicity and cultural dynamics," SocArXiv jr7u5, Center for Open Science.
    3. Bruce Edmonds, 2006. "The Emergence of Symbiotic Groups Resulting from Skill-Differentiation and Tags," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10.
    4. Genki Ichinose & Masaya Saito & Hiroki Sayama & Hugues Bersini, 2015. "Transitions Between Homophilic and Heterophilic Modes of Cooperation," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 18(4), pages 1-3.
    5. David Hales & Bruce Edmonds, 2019. "Intragenerational Cultural Evolution and Ethnocentrism," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 63(5), pages 1283-1309, May.
    6. Justin P Bruner, 2015. "Diversity, tolerance, and the social contract," Politics, Philosophy & Economics, , vol. 14(4), pages 429-448, November.
    7. Zhang, Hong & Ye, Hang, 2016. "Role of perception cost in tag-mediated cooperation," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 279(C), pages 76-89.
    8. Henrich, Joseph, 2004. "Reply," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 53(1), pages 127-143, January.

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