FratFiles

• Save Paper

The handicap principle is an idea proposed by the Israeli biologist Amotz Zahavi. It concerns the way in which animals communicate through their behaviour and anatomy, and makes the counterintuitive claim that certain forms of sexually selected behaviour, and anatomical features supporting them, may have evolved because they apparently act to reduce the chances of individual survival of the animal exhibiting the behaviour.

The reasoning supporting this claim depends on considering the question as to how an animal that is the recipient of communication can be assured that the information conveyed is accurate (that the signal is "honest"). The classic example is that of stotting in gazelles. This behaviour consists in the gazelle initially running slowly and jumping high when threatened by a predator such as a lion or cheetah. Traditionally, zoologists had believed that such behaviour might be adapted to alerting other gazelle to a cheetah's presence or might be part of a......

View the rest of this paper...

Approximate Word Count: 455
Approximate Pages: 2 (250 words per double-spaced page)

Similar Essays

1. Handicap Principle
   

   Handicap principle The handicap principle is an idea proposed by the Israeli biologist Amotz Zahavi. It concerns the way in which animals communicate through their behaviour and

2. Can Biological Theories Explain Rolex Watches In Addition To...
   

   (Buss, 1989, 1994; Ellis, 1992). Men compete with other men for signals of status and the handicap principle can be applied to much costly or dangerous human behaviour aimed at

3. What Is Sex All About?
   

   seem to make a bird more visible to predators). One proposed explanation for this is the handicap principle.[26] This hypothesis says that, by demonstrating he can survive with

4. Premarital Sex
   

   seem to make a bird more visible to predators). One proposed explanation for this is the handicap principle.[28] This hypothesis says that, by demonstrating he can survive with

5. International Business
   

   a new calculator manufactory (Public Interest Research Group. 1995, P.43-48) Religion is handicap India to adapt globalization India outward the oversea seem to be to always have