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 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 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 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

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

Answer 1

The argument states that altruistic behavior in groups of related individuals is most likely driven by kin selection due to shared DNA. To weaken this argument, we would need evidence that suggests altruistic behavior is not mainly a function of relatedness or kin selection.

The statement that would most likely 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 piece of evidence suggests that altruistic behaviors occur among individuals who are not closely related, thereby undermining the argument that altruism in related groups is primarily due to kin selection.