k 2022

The role of costly commitment signals in intergroup conflict

LANG, Martin

Basic information

Original name

The role of costly commitment signals in intergroup conflict

Edition

IACESR 2022 (International association for the cognitive and evolutionary sciences of religion), 19-21 September, Aarhus University, Denmark, 2022

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Presentations at conferences

Field of Study

60304 Religious studies

Country of publisher

Denmark

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

References:

Organization unit

Faculty of Arts

Keywords in English

commitment; costly signals; intergroup conflict; cooperation; public goods

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Changed: 12/2/2023 12:08, Mgr. Ivona Vrzalová

Abstract

In the original language

Around the world, people engage in practices that involve self-inflicted pain, wasted resources and time and energy investments. More often than not, these practices appear as part of religious ceremonies, supposedly demonstrating devotion and commitment. Researchers hailing from various disciplines theorise that these practices evolved to stabilise within-group cooperation by assorting individuals committed to collective action. Specifically, costly practices function as signals of hidden cooperative phenotype and these practices may be afforded only by individuals with high phenotypic quality. Importantly, previous research found that the frequency of costly signalling behaviours increases during warfare as a response to pressures to enhance group cooperative efforts by assorting cooperators. Yet, the direct relationship between costly signaling and conflict-related increase in cooperation has not been experimentally tested. In this talk, I will present our pursuit of this question using experimental manipulation in multiple studies tracking the effects of costly signals on cooperative assortment, group cooperation, and sacrifice of resources during inter-group competition.

Links

MUNI/A/1435/2021, interní kód MU
Name: Velké otázky ve studiu náboženství: Snaha o propojování humanitní a přírodovědné expertízy (Acronym: VESNA)
Investor: Masaryk University