Final answer:
Spite is the term used to describe a social interaction where one individual imposes a penalty on another and suffers a loss themselves. It is distinct from altruistic behavior which benefits others at one's own expense. This is a rare phenomenon in the animal kingdom.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social interaction between animals where one individual imposes a penalty on another and, in doing so, suffers a loss, is termed spite. This behavior is not to be confused with altruistic behavior, where one animal's actions benefit another at a cost to itself, or selfishness, where the animal benefits at the expense of another. Altruistic behaviors, such as those exhibited by worker bees or meerkats, can sometimes be confused with spite; however, these behaviors ultimately increase the fitness of other individuals, sometimes at the cost of the individual performing the behavior. Spite is a much rarer phenomenon and is typically costly to both the individual performing the act and the individual targeted by the act.
Social interaction between animals where one individual imposes a penalty on another, and in so doing suffers a loss, is termed spite.