Consider the following argument:

Question

Altruistic behavior in groups of related individuals is most likely driven by kin selection since related individuals would share DNA.

Which of the following pieces of evidence would be most likely to weaken this argument?

(1 point)
Responses

Data showing that food gifts are given more commonly among family members than between unrelated individuals in a group
Data showing that food gifts are given more commonly among family members than between unrelated individuals in a group

Data showing that individuals that share a higher percentage of DNA in a group tend to show the most altruistic behavior between themselves
Data showing that individuals that share a higher percentage of DNA in a group tend to show the most altruistic behavior between themselves

Data showing that only distantly related individuals are most likely to perform altruistic behaviors in order to protect each other
Data showing that only distantly related individuals are most likely to perform altruistic behaviors in order to protect each other

Data showing that the more frequent an allele of a gene occurs in a population, the more likely that population performs altruistic behaviors
Data showing that the more frequent an allele of a gene occurs in a population, the more likely that population performs altruistic behaviors

Answer 1

The argument asserts that altruistic behavior among related individuals is primarily driven by kin selection because they share DNA. To weaken this argument, we would look for evidence that suggests altruistic behavior can occur under different circumstances, particularly among unrelated or distantly related individuals.

The best option to weaken the argument is:

Data showing that only distantly related individuals are most likely to perform altruistic behaviors in order to protect each other.

This evidence suggests that altruistic behaviors can arise even among individuals who are not closely related, which contradicts the assertion that kin selection is the primary driver of altruism in related individuals. Instead, it indicates that there can be alternative explanations for altruistic behavior that do not rely on kinship.