According to some proponents of signaling theory (e.g. Robin Hanson), much (most?) behavior can be attributed to signaling.
"What's signaling mean?", you ask? Â Here's my armchair explanation of my favored version of the theory.
When you chose the outfit you're wearing, when you pick a vehicle to own, when you vote for a candidate, when you voice an opinion, when you choose a career, or when you name your child, you did it largely because you "want" to signal to others that you're the type of person who would do those things, for various fitness and social (of course social reasons are fitness reasons) reasons. Â In other words, you want to signal that you belong to Group X because you do the same things Group X does.
The common explanation for behaviors and choices is that you like those behaviors and choices so you act in that manner. Â In my opinion this feeling of liking something is an abstraction of a deeper, and more firmly rooted, signaling explanation.
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Signalling theory – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Within evolutionary biology, signalling theory is a body of theoretical work examining communication between individuals. The central question is when organisms with conflicting interests should be expected to communicate honestly (no presumption being made of conscious intention) rather than …
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Can't say I was signalling then I got interested in computers, in high school, lo these many years ago. Â Maybe when I was trying to decide between a Honda Element and a VW Beetle (2.0). Â (I wound up with a Subaru for price/mpg reasons. Â I think.)
It's a mistake to think that signaling only leads to behaviors that conform to majority/popular norms.
Of course, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't signalling at all. Â I guess I'm reacting against what I (probably falsely) perceive to be a statement that we're governed by our herd instincts.