The application of animal signaling theory to human phenomena: some thoughts and clarifications

by: Lee Cronk

Social Science Information, Vol. 44, No. 4. (1 December 2005), pp. 603-620.

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Abstract

Animal signaling theory has recently become popular among anthropologists as a way to study human communication. One aspect of animal signaling theory, often known as costly signaling or handicap theory, has been used particularly often. This article makes four points regarding these developments: (1) signaling theory is broader than existing studies may make it seem; (2) costly signaling theory has roots in the social as well as the biological sciences; (3) not all honest signals are costly and not all costs borne by signalers serve to ensure honesty; and (4) hard-to-fake signals are favored when the interests of broad categories of signalers and receivers conflict but the interests of individual signalers and receivers converge. 10.1177/0539018405058203

@article{citeulike:1458484, abstract = {Animal signaling theory has recently become popular among anthropologists as a way to study human communication. One aspect of animal signaling theory, often known as costly signaling or handicap theory, has been used particularly often. This article makes four points regarding these developments: (1) signaling theory is broader than existing studies may make it seem; (2) costly signaling theory has roots in the social as well as the biological sciences; (3) not all honest signals are costly and not all costs borne by signalers serve to ensure honesty; and (4) hard-to-fake signals are favored when the interests of broad categories of signalers and receivers conflict but the interests of individual signalers and receivers converge. 10.1177/0539018405058203}, author = {Cronk, Lee }, citeulike-article-id = {1458484}, doi = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0539018405058203}, journal = {Social Science Information}, keywords = {communication, evolutionary\_dynamics, signaling, socio}, month = {December}, number = {4}, pages = {603--620}, posted-at = {2007-07-16 09:22:15}, priority = {3}, title = {The application of animal signaling theory to human phenomena: some thoughts and clarifications}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0539018405058203}, volume = {44}, year = {2005} }

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TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:1458484 L3 - citeulike-article-id:1458484 N2 - Animal signaling theory has recently become popular among anthropologists as a way to study human communication. One aspect of animal signaling theory, often known as costly signaling or handicap theory, has been used particularly often. This article makes four points regarding these developments: (1) signaling theory is broader than existing studies may make it seem; (2) costly signaling theory has roots in the social as well as the biological sciences; (3) not all honest signals are costly and not all costs borne by signalers serve to ensure honesty; and (4) hard-to-fake signals are favored when the interests of broad categories of signalers and receivers conflict but the interests of individual signalers and receivers converge. 10.1177/0539018405058203 IS - 4 JF - Social Science Information EP - 620 TI - The application of animal signaling theory to human phenomena: some thoughts and clarifications VL - 44 SP - 603 KW - communication KW - evolutionary_dynamics KW - signaling KW - socio AU - Cronk, Lee PY - 2005/12/01/ UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0539018405058203 ER -

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