The Handicap Principle, A Missing Piece of Darwin's Puzzle Amotz Zahavi Avishag Zahavi

Abstract

Translated from Hebrew. Originally published in 1997. The handicap principle is that signals are only taken seriously if the signal itself imposes a handicap on the signaller that would make cheating impossible or unprofitable. The Zahavis explore the wide-ranging implications of this theory. pt. 1. Partners in communication : Prey-predator interactions -- Communication between rivals -- Mate selection. pt. 2. Methods of communication : The fallacy of species-specific signals -- Movements and ritualization -- Vocalizations -- Body parts that serve as signals -- The use of color for showing off -- Chemical communications. pt. 3. The handicap principle in social systems : Testing the bond -- Parents and offspring -- Babblers, competition for prestige, and the evolution of altruism -- The social insects : why help the queen? -- The parenting couple -- Social amebas (cellular slime molds) -- Parasite and host -- Information centers. pt. 4. Humans : Humans.