Final answer:
Seemingly selfless acts in social animals that benefit one individual at the expense of another are known as altruistic behaviors. Although true altruism is rare in nature, behaviors often have genetic benefits or reciprocal advantages, contributing to the overall fitness of the individual or their kin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term for seemingly "selfless" acts that have a net loss of energy to the actor but result in a net gain in energy to the receiver, often observed in social animals, is termed altruistic behaviors. These behaviors can be deceptive as, on the surface, they seem to benefit only the receiver at the expense of the giver. An example is when social insects like worker bees maintain the queen for the good of the hive despite being unable to reproduce themselves. This is observed in numerous species, from meerkats standing guard to wolves sharing food with absent pack members. However, in some cases, such as with reciprocal altruism seen in monkeys, these behaviors are part of a give-and-take relationship that ultimately benefits both parties. Moreover, kin selection can explain behaviors that increase the inclusive fitness of the actor by helping genetic relatives.
Evolutionary game theory has challenged the notion of true altruism among animals, suggesting that many altruistic behaviors may be tied to genetic benefits or reciprocal advantages. The concept of 'pure' altruism, as defined in human terms, is rarely met by animal behaviors, which are often driven by instinctual and evolutionary pressures. It's important to understand that terms like 'selfish' and 'altruistic' might not accurately reflect these instinctual activities, which are governed by the overarching principles of natural selection and genetic fitness.