Models of Identity Signaling

Explore a comprehensive lecture on models of identity signaling presented by Paul Smaldino from the University of California, Merced. Delve into the critical role of identity signals in shaping cooperation, conflict, and social learning within collective human behavior. Examine two classes of formal mathematical and computational models: those asserting how identity functions as a signal and testing its consequences in public health behavior and disease transmission, and those understanding strategic operation of identity signals in different social environments, focusing on covert or encrypted communication. Gain insights into ongoing empirical efforts to test model predictions. Discover how these models contribute to a deeper understanding of complex social systems and their implications for human interaction.