{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The convergence between defence and care in mammals.
{Author}: Vieira JB;Olsson A;
{Journal}: Trends Cogn Sci
{Volume}: 28
{Issue}: 8
{Year}: 2024 Aug 14
{Factor}: 24.482
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.tics.2024.04.011
{Abstract}: The motivations to protect oneself and others have often been seen as conflicting. Here, we discuss recent evidence that self-defensive mechanisms may in fact be recruited to enable the helping of others. In some instances, the defensive response to a threat may even be more decisive in promoting helping than the response to a conspecific's distress (as predicted by empathy-altruism models). In light of this evidence, we propose that neural mechanisms implicated in self-defence may have been repurposed through evolution to enable the protection of others, and that defence and care may be convergent rather than conflicting functions. Finally, we present and discuss a working model of the shared brain mechanisms implicated in defence of both self and others.