GAMESCORE

Signaling

Costly actions reveal hidden quality when only the strong can afford them.

120407065test? p=.4
fold back expected values · recreated schematic

How it works

  • Senders know their type; receivers only see actions.
  • A signal works when it costs weak types more than strong types.
  • Separating equilibria sort types; pooling equilibria hide them.
Use → Credentials, warranties, pricing, hiring. Ask what makes a signal too costly to fake.
Watch out → Signal inflation — once everyone can afford it, it stops separating anyone.
Try it → List three signals your customers rely on and what each would cost a weak rival to fake.
REDCAPE jobs → Explain · Design · Communicate
Free sources → SFI Game Theory II • Wikipedia: Signalling (economics) (CC BY-SA)