Final answer:
The behavior illustrated by a man running into a burning home to rescue his young son is altruism. This selfless act is done to benefit another at the expense of one's own safety, similar to altruistic behaviors observed in the animal kingdom and human prosocial behavior.
Step-by-step explanation:
The example of a man running into his burning home to rescue his young son illustrates the behavior of altruism. Altruism refers to actions done to benefit others at a personal cost to the individual performing the act. This concept is often discussed in contexts where individuals risk harm or sacrifice their own well-being to aid another individual, which in this scenario is the man risking his life to save his child.
In the animal kingdom, altruistic behaviors are observed when an animal acts in a way that decreases its own fitness but increases another's. Examples include meerkats that keep watch for predators, risking their safety for the colony, or social insects like worker bees which support the queen for the hive's overall benefit, despite not being able to reproduce themselves.
In human society, altruism can be seen in various forms of prosocial behavior, where individuals act voluntarily to help others without any expectation of reciprocation or benefit to themselves. A parent running into a burning building to save their child reflects a profound and selfless form of altruism, emphasizing the bond and responsibility a parent feels towards their offspring.