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An Evolutionary Comparison of the Handicap Principle and Hybrid Equilibrium Theories of Signaling

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  • Patrick Kane
  • Kevin J S Zollman

Abstract

The handicap principle has come under significant challenge both from empirical studies and from theoretical work. As a result, a number of alternative explanations for honest signaling have been proposed. This paper compares the evolutionary plausibility of one such alternative, the “hybrid equilibrium,” to the handicap principle. We utilize computer simulations to compare these two theories as they are instantiated in Maynard Smith’s Sir Philip Sidney game. We conclude that, when both types of communication are possible, evolution is unlikely to lead to handicap signaling and is far more likely to result in the partially honest signaling predicted by hybrid equilibrium theory.

Suggested Citation

  • Patrick Kane & Kevin J S Zollman, 2015. "An Evolutionary Comparison of the Handicap Principle and Hybrid Equilibrium Theories of Signaling," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0137271
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137271
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Crawford, Vincent, 1998. "A Survey of Experiments on Communication via Cheap Talk," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 78(2), pages 286-298, February.
    2. Ross Cressman, 2003. "Evolutionary Dynamics and Extensive Form Games," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262033054, April.
    3. Elliott O. Wagner, 2013. "The Dynamics of Costly Signaling," Games, MDPI, vol. 4(2), pages 1-19, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mirzaei, Abas & Wilkie, Dean C. & Siuki, Helen, 2022. "Woke brand activism authenticity or the lack of it," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 1-12.
    2. Joshua Safley & Shan Sun & Jan Rychtář, 2020. "Dishonest Signalling in a Variant of Pygmalion Game," Dynamic Games and Applications, Springer, vol. 10(3), pages 719-731, September.

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