Cooperative Intergroup Mating Can Overcome Ethnocentrism in Diverse Populations

Abstract

Ethnocentrism is a behavioral strategy seen on every scale of social interaction. Game-theory models demonstrate that evolution selects ethnocentrism because it boosts cooperation, which increases reproductive fitness. However, some believe that interethnic unions have the potential to foster universal cooperation and overcome in-group biases in humans. Here, we use agent-based computer simulations to test this hypothesis. Cooperative intergroup mating does lend an advantage to a universal cooperation strategy when the cost/benefit ratio of cooperation is low and local population diversity is high.