Signaling theory

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Springboks are though to display jumping as a costly/honest signal that they are very quick and not worth pursuing for predators

Signaling theory concerns evolved behavior that is aimed at signaling emotional states and other information to conspecifics or even other species. In the context of human mating, this involves signaling of social belonging, socio-economic status or genetic quality.

Costly signaling[edit | edit source]

Signals need to be reliable to be useful. A signal would be unreliable if it was easy to fake. Hence, there is evolutionary pressure for signals to be hard to fake (i.e. costly), which is called the handicap principle.

This may in part explain why humans (especially males) engage in risky behavior even if it is not high in material return. For example males may engage in extreme sports or buy cars they can barely afford as reliable signals that they have particularly good genes or are wealthy.

Costly signaling is an alternative explanation for Fisherian runaway for certain exaggerated adaptations such as the peacock tail.

However, costly signaling does not necessarily be exaggerated. E.g. coolness can be regarded as a costly signal of superiority (countersignaling).

Investing a too high cost can, however, reduce perceived signal reliability as it may be viewed as hiding or compensating for a latent issue. For this reason nice guys are distrusted and largely avoided by women and others.

Virtue signaling[edit | edit source]

Main article: Virtue signaling


Humans pretty much automatically engage in signaling their virtues and values all the time, presumably because groups with shared goals and values have less conflict.

Since virtue signaling is mostly cheap it is not very reliable and hence prone to abuse.

Virtue signaling is almost synonymous with in-group signaling, which however concerns values tied to a group identity in particular.

See also[edit | edit source]

Redpill

Game

GameOvergamingFrame (PUA)Signaling theoryRomantic idealizationCourtshipNeggingSexual market valueBeautyCharismaOrbiterBullyingLMSPUAAssholeTalk therapyIndicator of interestDominance hierarchyFuck-off signalsSocial circleSlayerNeurolinguistic programmingDatingOffline datingOnline datingBraggingAnabolic steroidGuitarClown GameJock

Misc. strategies

SEAmaxxingGymmaxxingTrannymaxxingGymmaxxingStatusmaxxingMoneymaxxingJestermaxxingCastratemaxxing

Pick Up Artists

R. Don SteeleRoss Jeffriesr/TRPReal Social DynamicsRooshVOwen CookPlayer SupremeWinston WuList of people in the seduction community

Ranks

Alpha maleAlpha femaleBeta maleBeta femaleOmega maleOmega femaleSigma maleVox DayDominance hierarchy

Personality

NeurotypicalNeurodivergentCoolCharismaStoicAssholeDark triadBorderline personality disorderNice guySimpApproach anxietyButterflies in the stomachConfidenceShynessLove shyHedonophobiaAsperger's SyndromeSocial awkwardnessIQRationalityEvolutionary psychologyTestosteroneEstrogen

Celibacy states

SexlessnessCelibacyIncelDry spellDating LimboSingleVirginWizardVolcelAsexualSex haverMarriedAscendedRelationship

Sexuality

HypergamyCopulationNudityCasual sexPump and dumpPromiscuityCock carouselRapeSexual harassmentBodyguard hypothesisBetabuxProvisioningMarriage proposalReproductive successSexual envySex driveBateman's principleSexual economics theoryResources for orgasmsSex ratioFemale passivitySexual attractionAttraction ambiguity problemBody attractivenessMuscle theoryFemale orgasmHuman penisHulseyismSexual conflictSexual modestySlutWhoreLordosisLeggingsPaternity assuranceMicrochimerismPartible paternityFeminine imperativePussy cartelRejection (dating)Ghosting (dating)Shit testAdverse effects of inceldomMaslow's hierarchy of needsCauses of celibacyHomosexualityHomocel hypothesisDemographics of inceldomTeleiophilic delayPolygynyPolyandryMonogamyMarriageTraditionalist conservatismMate guardingMate poachingMate choice copyingIntrasexual competitionFacial masculinityNeotenyParthenophiliaFisherian runawaySexual selectionCreepinessValidationChadsexualHybristophiliaScelerophiliaQuality and primitivity theorySexclamationTumescenceClitorisTesticlesLooks bottleneckGaitIncestpillPraying mantisoidMigraine

Other theories

Timeless quotes on womenFemales are socially ineptWomen-are-wonderful effectGynocentrismApex fallacyFeminismSexual revolutionFemale subordinationFemale hypoagencyFemale solipsismPrincess syndromeLife on tutorial modeFemale privilegeFake depressionFemale sneakinessFemme fataleBriffault's lawJuggernaut lawArguing with holes Halo effectFailo effectSinglismVariability hypothesisPsychiatryCognitive behavioral therapyAntifragilityTriggeredLife historyScientific Blackpill + Scientific Blackpill (Supplemental)Evolutionary mismatchMutationFeminizationBehavioral sinkPolitical correctness‎Affirmative actionVirtue signalingEugenicsEnvironmentalismMale scarcityRegression toward the meanMatthew effectPatriarchyTutorial IslandEmpathy gapWelfare gameX-factor theoryBuy a wheelchair to pick up women gameClown WorldProblematicIncel crisis coverup