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Fairness expectations scaffolded the evolution of larger groups

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2025

Oded Ritov Open the ORCID record for Oded Ritov [Opens in a new window] ,
Colin R. Jacobs Open the ORCID record for Colin R. Jacobs [Opens in a new window]  and
Jan M. Engelmann Open the ORCID record for Jan M. Engelmann [Opens in a new window]
Oded Ritov*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, US. oded.ritov@berkeley.edu colin_jacobs@berkeley.edu jan_engelmann@berkeley.edu
Colin R. Jacobs
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, US. oded.ritov@berkeley.edu colin_jacobs@berkeley.edu jan_engelmann@berkeley.edu
Jan M. Engelmann
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, CA, US. oded.ritov@berkeley.edu colin_jacobs@berkeley.edu jan_engelmann@berkeley.edu
*
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

We propose that the emergence of relationship-based social expectations and their evolution into fairness expectations played a key role in the size and cohesion of hominin societies. One of the central challenges of group living is the need to create and sustain stable and mutually beneficial patterns of cooperation. By regulating collaborative interactions, social expectations make group living less stressful.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e180
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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