How to Explain Stotting

Stotting is an animal display whose function can be investigated through competing behavioral predictions. Dennett uses such cases to examine functional explanation; signaling accounts require evidence about the animals and circumstances involved.

Stotting invites a functional question because a conspicuous leap can seem less efficient than immediate flight. Several hypotheses can explain superficially similar behavior, including signaling detection, signaling condition, or effects on other animals. The task is to derive observations that distinguish those accounts rather than settle on the most memorable story.

Signal reliability depends on incentives and constraints, not expense alone. A costly display can be misleading, and a cheap signal can be reliable when interests align or verification is easy. In wider applications, ask what makes deception harder or less attractive for the relevant sender and receiver.

When to use it

Use when evaluating an apparently wasteful behavior, interpreting a biological function, or assessing whether a practical signal is informative.

How it can help

Compare hypotheses about what a signal communicates and why receivers should respond. Examine incentives and constraints rather than equating expense with honesty.