Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Reciprocal altruism refers to the idea that individuals engage in altruistic behaviors towards non-relatives because they expect to receive help in return at some point in the future. It is a form of cooperation based on mutual benefit.
Related terms
Mutual Benefit: Mutual benefit refers to a situation where both parties involved gain something from an interaction or relationship.
Tit for Tat: Tit for tat is a strategy often used in game theory, which involves reciprocating actions based on previous interactions.