Economics in Nature: Social Dilemmas, Mate Choice and Biological Markets

Cambridge University Press, 8/2/2001
EAN 9780521650144, ISBN10: 0521650143

Hardcover, 292 pages, 23.6 x 15.7 x 2 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English

Since the development of game theory, the analysis of animal behaviour using the theories of economics has become a growing field of biological research in which models of games and markets play an important role. Studies of sexual selection, interspecific mutualism and intraspecific cooperation show that individuals exchange commodities to their mutual benefit; the exchange values of commodities are a source of conflict, and behavioural mechanisms such as partner choice and contest between competitors determines the composition of trading pairs or groups. These 'biological markets' can be examined to gain a better understanding of the underlying principles of evolutionary ecology. In this volume scientists from different disciplines combine insights from economics, evolutionary biology and the social sciences to look at comparative aspects of economic behaviour in humans and other animals. Aimed primarily at evolutionary biologists and anthropologists, it will also appeal to psychologists and economists interested in an evolutionary approach.

Preface
1. Games and markets
economic behaviour in humans and other animals Peter Hammerstein
Part I. Economic Behavior in Social Networks
2. Social dilemmas and human behaviour Elinor Ostrom
3. Cooperation and collective action in animal behaviour Charles Nunn and Rebecca J. Lewis
4. Conflict, reconciliation and negotiation in non-human primates
the value of long-term relationships Jan A. R. A. M Van Hooff
Part II. Biological Markets
5. Biological markets
partner choice as the driving force behind the evolution of mutualisms Ronald Noë
6. The utility of grooming in baboon troops Louise Barrett and Peter S. Henzi
7. The cleaner fish market Redouan Bshary
8. Modeling interspecific mutualisms as biological markets Jason D. Hoeksema and Mark W. Schwartz
Part III. Mating Markets
9. Human mate choice strategies Boguslaw Pawlowski and Robin I. M. Dunbar
10. How does mate choice contribute to exaggeration and diversity in sexual characters? Andrew Pomiankowski and Yoh Iwasa
11. Information about sperm competition and the economics of sperm allocation Geoffrey A. Parker and Mike A. Ball
12. The economics of male mating strategies Robin I. M. Dunbar.