Individual memory and the emergence of cooperation

摘要: The social brain hypothesis states that selection pressures associated with complex relationships have driven the evolution of sophisticated cognitive processes in primates. We investigated how size cooperative primate communities depends on memory each its members and pressure exerted by natural selection. To this end we devised an evolutionary game theoretical model which interactions are modelled terms a repeated Prisoner's Dilemma played individuals who may exhibit different capacity. Here, is greatly simplified mapped onto single parameter m describing number conspecifics whose previous action individual can remember. show increasing enables cooperation to emerge be maintained groups sizes. Furthermore, harsher dilemmas lead need for higher order ensure high levels cooperation. Finally, interplay between dilemma face their capacity allows us define critical group below thrive, value sensitively strength