ABSTRACT
Co-operation is an evolved capability for the modification of individualistic competitiveness. There are many kinds of co-operative behaviour in Nature. Human co-operativeness undoubtedly draws in and utilises various mechanisms related to care giving and care eliciting. Co-operativeness is concerned with linking, joining, acting together and minimising differences between individual members. Co-operative behaviour involves, amongst other things, supportive relationships which serve to maintain and enhance self-esteem in participating members. Altruism and morality are important mediators of co-operative behaviour and reflect the activation and articulation of various construct systems for evaluative self-other interactions. Rushton et al. suggest that altruistic and aggressive tendencies may relate to inherited individual differences. Generally, there is agreement that competent, prosocial, co-operative behaviour promotes acceptance and popularity while hostile behaviour works against acceptance. Alliance formation is really co-operation in the service of competitiveness and power over others. Competitive constraint kind of co-operative endeavour differs significantly from all the others.
