[1][2][3][4][5] Research suggests that both types of group augmentation can be used to explain the expensive helping behaviour of non-reproducing subordinate individuals as evolutionary stable.
[1] It is also important to note that both forms of group augmentation are thought to act in tandem with kin selection to further explain increased levels of helping behaviour.
[2][3][8][9] The White Winged Choughs display a unique behaviour, according to some research, of kidnapping and raising unrelated young.
[12] The group augmentation hypothesis is not universally accepted by all ethologists, as other well studied explanations for cooperative behaviour exist.
[13] Kin selection is the theory that animals act altruistically towards members of their own species in a ratio which is dependent on how genetically related those individuals are to one another.
[13] Overall, literature suggests more empirical data is required for group augmentation theory to be generally accepted.