Costly Signaling Theory proposes that we send honest signals about ourselves through handicaps —signals about our genetic quality, our access to resources, or our cooperative nature —that ...

The "costly signaling theory," for example, claims that elites try to establish distinctions by using styles that are too costly to be adopted by non-members of the group.

Do costly signals work? Despite their widespread popularity, both hands-tying and sunk-cost signaling have come under criticism, and there’s little direct evidence that leaders understand costly ...

In ecology, costly signaling theory argues that displays that “cost” more — like elaborate peacock tails, or strenuous displays of hunger from baby birds — are more likely to reflect reality. A ...

Todd Hall, Keren Yarhi-Milo, The Personal Touch: Leaders' Impressions, Costly Signaling, and Assessments of Sincerity in International Affairs, International Studies Quarterly, Vol. 56, No. 3 ...