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Question:
Summarize the points made in the lecture you just heard, explaining
how they cast doubt on the points made in the reading. You can refer
to the reading passage as you write.
You have
20 minutes!
(Typically, an effective response would be 150-225 words.)
Word Count:
Please remember: When you want to
start a new PARAGRAPH, please hit the "Enter" key twice so
there will be a blank line between the paragraphs. Thanks.
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Altruism is a type of behavior in which an animal sacrifices its own
interest for that of another animal or group of animals. Altruism is
the opposite of selfishness; individuals performing altruistic acts
gain nothing for themselves.
Examples of altruism abound, both among humans and among other
mammals. Unselfish acts among humans range from the sharing of food
with strangers to the donation of body organs to family members, and
even to strangers. Such acts are altruistic in that they benefit
another, provide little reward to the one performing the act.
In fact, many species of animals appear willing to sacrifice food,
or even their life, to assist other members of their group. The
meerkat, which is a mammal that dwells in burrows in grassland areas
of Africa, is often cited as an example. In groups of meerkats, an
individual acts as a sentinel, standing guard and looking out for
predators while the others hunt for food or eat food they have
obtained. If the sentinel meerkat sees a predator such as a hawk
approaching the group, it gives an alarm cry alerting the other
meerkats to run and seek shelter. By standing guard, the sentinel
meerkat gains nothing; it goes without food while the others eat, and
it places itself in grave danger. After it issues an alarm it has to
flee alone, which might make it more at risk to a predator since
animals in groups are often able to work together to fend off a
predator. So the altruistic sentinel behavior helps ensure the
survival of other members of the meerkat's group. |