Final answer:
Altruistic behavior is a type of social interaction where an individual sacrifices for the benefit of another, often seen in animal societies. Examples include behaviors of worker bees, meerkats, and grooming monkeys. These behaviors may combine elements of direct altruism and reciprocal altruism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social behavior in which the 'actor' makes a sacrifice for the benefit of the 'recipient' is called altruistic behavior. This type of behavior is observed extensively throughout the animal kingdom and can manifest in a range of actions, from worker bees tirelessly working for the queen, to meerkats keeping lookout for the safety of the colony. While such behaviors often seem entirely benevolent, they may also include aspects of reciprocal altruism—a situation where the 'giver' anticipates receiving a similar benefit in return at a future time, thereby blurring the line between pure altruism and mutual benefit.
Examples of altruistic behaviors include worker bees that are sterile yet provide for the queen, meerkats serving as sentinels, and monkeys engaging in reciprocal grooming. In all these cases, individuals forego their own direct benefit or put themselves at risk for the good of others, thereby increasing the fitness of the recipients at their own expense. However, in cases of reciprocal altruism, there is an expectation of a future return of the favor, which involves complex social interactions and reinforces cooperation within a social group.