Threat display
Encyclopedia
Threat display is a type of display behaviour
aiming at intimidation
of a potential enemy. It may be directed at a rival of the same species (in tournament species), or at a potential threat from a different species.
The competitive advantage of threat display lies in overstating one's aggressive potential and thus increasing the chances that the opponent chooses to flee (fight-or-flight response
). The opposite strategy is submission
, behaviour aiming at understating one's aggressive potential in order to dissuade the opponent from attacking.
Human threat display includes showing one's teeth (snarl
, compare smile
), inflating one's chest (and other stances enlarging one's silhouette from the point of view from the opponent) and making loud vocal calls (battle cry
).
Display (zoology)
Display is a form of animal behaviour, linked to survival of the species in various ways. One example of display used by some species can be found in the form of courtship, with the male usually having a striking feature that is distinguished by colour, shape or size, used to attract a female...
aiming at intimidation
Intimidation
Intimidation is intentional behavior "which would cause a person of ordinary sensibilities" fear of injury or harm. It's not necessary to prove that the behavior was so violent as to cause terror or that the victim was actually frightened.Criminal threatening is the crime of intentionally or...
of a potential enemy. It may be directed at a rival of the same species (in tournament species), or at a potential threat from a different species.
The competitive advantage of threat display lies in overstating one's aggressive potential and thus increasing the chances that the opponent chooses to flee (fight-or-flight response
Fight-or-flight response
The fight-or-flight response was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon....
). The opposite strategy is submission
Submission
Submission is the acknowledgement of the legitimacy of the power of one's superior or superiors.Submission may also refer to:* Submission/Submitter , an Islamic organisation...
, behaviour aiming at understating one's aggressive potential in order to dissuade the opponent from attacking.
Human threat display includes showing one's teeth (snarl
Snarl
A snarl is a facial expression, where the upper lip is raised, and the nostrils widen, generally indicating hate, anger or pain. In addition to humans, other mammals including monkeys and dogs snarl, often to warn others of their potential bite. In humans, snarling uses the levator labii...
, compare smile
Smile
A smile is a facial expression formed by flexing the muscles near both ends of the mouth. The smile can also be found around the eyes . Among humans, it is an expression denoting pleasure, joy, happiness, or amusement, but can also be an involuntary expression of anxiety, in which case it is known...
), inflating one's chest (and other stances enlarging one's silhouette from the point of view from the opponent) and making loud vocal calls (battle cry
Battle cry
A battle cry is a yell or chant taken up in battle, usually by members of the same military unit.Battle cries are not necessarily articulate, although they often aim to invoke patriotic or religious sentiment....
).
See also
- Shark threat displayShark threat displayShark threat display, a type of agonistic display, is a behaviour observed in some sharks when they feel threatened or protective. It consists of a contorting of the body into a series of "ritualized" postures coupled with an exaggerated swimming style...
- Fight-or-flight responseFight-or-flight responseThe fight-or-flight response was first described by Walter Bradford Cannon....
- Tend and befriendTend and befriendTend and befriend is a behavior exhibited by some animals, including humans, when under threat. It refers to protection of offspring and seeking out the social group for mutual defense . The tend-and-befriend idea was originally developed by Dr. Shelley E...
- War danceWar danceA war dance is a dance involving mock combat, usually in reference to tribal warrior societies where such dances were performed as a ritual connected with endemic warfare....
- Balance of threatBalance of threatThe balance of threat theory was proposed by Stephen M. Walt in an article titled published in the journal International Security in 1985. The balance of threat theory modified the popular balance of power theory in the neorealist school of international relations.According to balance of threat...
- Non-credible threatNon-credible threatA non-credible threat is a term used in game theory and economics to describe a threat in a sequential game that a rational player would actually not carry out, because it would not be in his best interest to do so....
- VictoryVictoryVictory is successful conclusion of a fight or competition..Victory may refer to:**strategic victory**tactical victory** Pyrrhic victory, a victory at heavy cost to the victorious party**Victory columns**Victory Monuments**Victory personified...