An increasing number of people accept competitiveness as a basis for living. However, while competitiveness may have its place, cooperation is more important in many contexts, and interpersonal relationships are the most important elements in our lives. This is true not only of individuals, but also of groups and nations. In this book, prominent authors have come together to consider the nature of cooperation and prosocial behaviour at levels of social complexity ranging from the individual to the international. Successive sections cover key topics such as the relations between cooperation in animals and humans; the development of prosocial propensities in humans; aspects of the situation and of personality that increase the probability that individuals will behave prosocially; the relationships between trust, cooperation and commitment; and cooperation between groups and nations. Case studies illustrating the important issue of international cooperation are also included. The chapters are integrated by a series of useful editorials which emphasise that a full understanding of cooperation and prosocial behaviour requires us to move between different levels of social complexity.

This book discusses the nature of cooperation, altruism and prosocial behaviour, and the factors that make their occurrence more likely.
Reviews
'The subject is treated in considerable breadth and depth, ideas are developed as lines of argument throughout the book, and there is much to interest the reader, whether they may be a student, an interested general reader, a social scientist or even a policy maker.' Alain Schmitt, Human Ethology Newsletter



Book Information
ISBN 9780521399999
Author Robert A. Hinde
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 567g
Dimensions(mm) 228mm * 152mm * 22mm