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.

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 ...

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 ...

Trade–conflict studies have shown that economic dependence can promote peace by costly signaling resolve. However, with higher economic integration, targets also become more vulnerable to coercion and ...

The ostentatious dances are a product of what’s known as “hard-to-fake” behavior or, “costly signaling.” Potential mates who can’t perform these difficult sequences probably don’t have good genes.

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 ...