Mathematical models for social evolution

Many researchers have studied and proposed different models for the evolution of cooperation. These models can usually be classified according to the mechanism used to spread the cooperation: direct benefit, reciprocity, kin selection and greenbeard effects. Another mechanism that could explain cooperation is multilevel selection. In 2011, Schonmann et al. have proposed a framework to study the evolution of altruism as a two-level selection process. We have adapted this framework to model the evolution of altruism when there are intergroup wars, and we have found that the frequency of wars might have had an important role in the proliferation of altruism.