ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the evolutionary perspective used by many to argue that hunting large prey is a natural way of securing sufficient food for families and is hence a reflection of the natural order. The costly signalling theory proposes that hunters target large game to attract social attention—to increase their social standing in the group and to make them more successful competitors for mates and for group support. Trophy hunting is very similar to the displays of luxury goods, sports cars and boats. Conspicuous consumption may explain why people covet luxury goods or have the desire to hunt rare animals. Language as a self-presentational medium can and does operate around physical and more primitive physical symbols such as a dead animal on public view. The research by V. Griskevicius and his colleagues suggests that costly signalling theory may be relevant to pro-environmental behavioural choices, particularly in the presence of others, when it becomes a public display.
