Abstract
Conflicts between animals of the same species usually are of “limited war” type, not causing serious injury. This is often explained as due to group or species selection for behaviour benefiting the species rather than individuals. Game theory and computer simulation analyses show, however, that a “limited war” strategy benefits individual animals as well as the species.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Rent or buy this article
Prices vary by article type
from$1.95
to$39.95
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Shaw, C. E., Herpetologica, 4, 137 (1948).
Shaw, C. E., Herpetologica, 7, 149 (1951).
Linsdale, J. M., and Tomich, P. Q., A Herd of Mule Deer, 511f (Univ. of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, 1953).
Darwin, C., The Descent of Man and Selection in Relation to Sex, chap. 17 (Murray, London, 1882).
Collins, N. E., Physiol. Zool., 17, 83 (1944).
Hingston, R. W. G., Character Person., 2, 3 (1933).
Huxley, J. S., Phil. Trans. R. Soc., 251 B, 249 (1956).
Lorenz, K., On Aggression (Methuen, London, 1966).
Wynne-Edwards, V. C., Animal Dispersion in Relation to Social Behaviour, chap. 8 (Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh and London, 1962).
Maynard Smith, J., Nature, 201, 1145 (1964).
Levins, R., in Some Mathematical Questions in Biology (American Mathematical Society, 1970).
Price, G. R., Ann. hum. Genet., 35, 485 (1972).
MacArthur, R. H., in Theoretical and Mathematical Biology (edit. by Waterman, T., and Horowitz, H.) (Blaisdell, New York, 1965).
Hamilton, W. D., Science, N.Y., 156, 477 (1967).
Dingle, H., Anim. Behav., 17, 561 (1969).
West, L. J., Pierce, C. M., and Thomas, W. D., Science, N.Y., 138, 1100 (1962).
Eisenberg, J. F., McKay, G. M., and Jainudeen, M. R., Behaviour, 38, 193 (1971).
Price, J. S., Proc. R. Soc. Med., 62, 1107 (1969).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
SMITH, J., PRICE, G. The Logic of Animal Conflict. Nature 246, 15–18 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1038/246015a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/246015a0
This article is cited by
-
Computational dissection of genetic variation modulating the response of multiple photosynthetic phenotypes to the light environment
BMC Genomics (2024)
-
New energy vehicle battery recycling strategy considering carbon emotion from a closed-loop supply chain perspective
Scientific Reports (2024)
-
Let’s not use it! A dynamic no-use zone between the home ranges of two spider monkey groups
Primates (2024)
-
Mantled howler monkey males assess their rivals through formant spacing of long-distance calls
Primates (2024)
-
Strategic interaction among stakeholders on low-carbon buildings: A tripartite evolutionary game based on prospect theory
Environmental Science and Pollution Research (2024)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.