2026年06月四级第1套仔细阅读 Passage 2 原文翻译及答案解析

It is still controversial whether we are fundamentally generous or selfish and whether these tendencies are shaped by our genes or environment.

关于我们本质上是慷慨的还是自私的，以及这些倾向是由基因还是环境塑造的，至今仍存在争议。

Some evidence points to humans being born cooperative. At later stages in life we routinely work together to reach goals and help out in times of need.

一些证据表明人类天生就懂得合作。在人生的后续阶段，我们会习以为常地协作以实现目标，并在需要时伸出援手。

Yet instances of selfish behavior are also plenty. One recent study tested people's willingness to set aside selfish interests to reach a greater good. It found that being selfish was more advantageous than cooperating. The benefit may be short-lived, however. Another study showed that players who cooperated did better in the long run.

然而，自私行为的例子也比比皆是。最近一项研究考察了人们为了更大的利益而放下私利的意愿。研究发现，自私比合作更有利可图。不过，这种好处可能是短暂的。另一项研究表明，那些合作的参与者从长远来看表现更好。

It seems that human nature supports both pro-social and selfish traits (特征). Genetic studies have made some progress toward identifying their biological roots. By comparing identical twins, who share nearly 100 percent of their genes, and non-identical twins, who share about half, researchers have found overwhelming evidence for genetic effects on behaviors. In these twin studies, identical and non-identical twins are asked, for example, to split a sum of money with a peer. Such studies often also rely on careful psychological assessments and DNA analysis.

看来，人性同时支持亲社会与自私两种特征。基因研究在识别它们的生物学根源方面已取得一些进展。通过比较基因几乎100%相同的同卵双胞胎与基因约有一半相同的异卵双胞胎，研究人员发现了基因对行为产生影响的压倒性证据。在这些双胞胎研究中，同卵和异卵双胞胎被要求做诸如与同伴分一笔钱之类的事。此类研究通常还依赖细致的心理评估和DNA分析。

Other work highlights specific genes as key players. My colleagues and I recently identified a gene linked to altruistic (利他的) behavior and found that a particular variant of it was associated with more selfish behavior in preschoolers.

另一些研究则突出了特定基因所起的关键作用。我和同事们最近发现了一个与利他行为相关的基因，并发现它的某个特定变体与学龄前儿童更多的自私行为相关联。

According to evolutionary scientists, cooperative behavior may have evolved first among relatives to promote the continuation of their genetic line. As communities diversified, mutual support could have broadened to include individuals not linked by blood. Another possibility is that humans cooperate to gain some advantage, such as boosting reputation. Finally, evolutionary processes take place at the group level. Groups of highly cooperative individuals have higher chances of survival because they can work together to reach goals that are unattainable to less cooperative groups.

据进化科学家所言，合作行为最初可能是在亲属之间演化出来的，以促进其基因血脉的延续。随着群体日益多样化，这种相互支持可能扩展到没有血缘关系的个体。另一种可能是，人类合作是为了获得某种好处，比如提升声誉。最后，进化过程也在群体层面发生。由高度合作的个体组成的群体拥有更高的存活几率，因为他们能够协作实现那些合作性较差的群体无法企及的目标。

Yet almost no behavior is entirely genetic, even among identical twins. Culture, schooling and parenting are important determinants of cooperation. Thus, the degree to which we act cooperatively or selfishly is unique to each individual and depends on a variety of genetic and environmental influences.

然而，几乎没有哪种行为是完全由基因决定的，即便在同卵双胞胎之间也是如此。文化、学校教育和家庭养育都是影响合作的重要决定因素。因此，我们表现得合作还是自私的程度，因人而异，取决于种种基因与环境的影响。