ABSTRACT
Because most people desire and expect a peaceful society, disruptions are salient. Much is written about the human capacities for aggression, self-assertiveness, and selfishness, but less attention is paid to the fact that all individuals have the potential for developing a prosocial disposition. In fact, a great deal is now known about the circumstances and early relationships which minimise tendencies to show self-seeking behaviour and maximise positive tendencies in the course of development (see p. 164). Our present concern is with the evolutionary processes which ensured that individuals have this potential to develop prosocial behaviours.
