Deceptive Animal Behavior
Animals have many methods of misinformation. While camoflauge is an example of unknowingly misinforming, the intentional misinformation or knowingly misinforming is considered an act of deceit. Deceptive behavior in animals is a complex and sophisticated subject. The difficulty lies in attempting to determine intention in an animal, and because we cannot see into their brains to find out what the animal intends (if it intends at all) it is difficult to determine was is intentional deceit and what is simply instinctual behavior. This also asks the question of which deceptive behaviors are learned and which are inherently genetic. Whatever the case, deceit is usually used for the purpose of gaining an advantage in competition (Spence 2004).
Deception was defined by Vrij in 2001 as “a successful or unsuccessful deliberate attempt, without forewarning, to create in another a belief which the communicator considers to be untrue” (Vrij 2001). Another good definition of deception was proposed by de Waal in 1992: "Deception can be defined as the projection, to one's own advantage, of an inaccurate or false image of knowledge, intentions, or motivations" (de Waal 1992). Lastly, Byrne defines deception functionally as "acts from the normal repertoire of the agent, deployed such that another individual is likely to misinterpret what the acts signify, to the advantage of the agent" (Byrne 1997).
Because deception is such a complex behavior attributed to highly intelligent animals, there are many factors involved that are necessary to examine in the discussion of this subject. Deception involves not only the manipulation of objects, but of individuals, requiring significant cognitive abilities.
This website was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Biology 323, Animal Behavior, at Davidson College in the Spring Semester 2009. Please send any comments, questions, or suggestions regarding this website to Shawna Foley or Professor Verna Case.
Last updated May 1, 2009.
Image credits: Public domain image from USAID
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