Inclusive fitness is defined as which of the following?

Inclusive fitness is defined as the cumulative fitness that encompasses not only an individual’s own offspring but also the offspring of close relatives. This concept is rooted in the theory of kin selection, which suggests that behaviors that help a relative might increase the chances of passing shared genes to future generations. The idea expands the traditional understanding of fitness, which typically focuses solely on an individual's direct reproductive success, by incorporating the reproductive success of relatives who share a portion of the same genetic material.

This broader view of fitness is vital for understanding social behaviors in many species, particularly in contexts where individuals may sacrifice their own reproductive opportunities to aid in the survival and reproductive success of their kin. Such altruistic behaviors can enhance the inclusive fitness of an individual by ensuring that some genetic material is passed on, even if it is not through their own direct descendants.