Glossary
Social Signaling
The communication of information about identity, affiliation, knowledge, values, or status through observable choices and behavior.
Definition
Social signaling describes how choices can convey information to other people. A signal may communicate expertise, belonging, taste, values, resources, or aspiration. Signals are interpreted within a culture and can be deliberate, habitual, ambiguous, or misunderstood.
Origin
Signaling theory developed across economics and biology and has been applied in sociology, psychology, and consumer research.
Usage in luxury
Recognizable brands can signal status broadly, while obscure references may signal specialist knowledge within a collecting community. Social meaning is only one possible motivation for ownership.
Examples
- - Wearing a recognizable design associated with a social group
- - Choosing an obscure reference recognized mainly by specialists