# Calm Signals Can Interrupt Primate Escalation by Bryant McGill > “Among primates, threat displays tend to provoke matching displays. A raised posture invites a raised posture, while relaxed body language and calm signals often lower the tension on both sides. People respond to approach and posture in much the same way.” > **— Bryant McGill**, *How Social Posture Escalates Conflict - Livestream (Jul 2016)* ## Sources and Context - **Source:** [[livestreams/How Social Posture Escalates Conflict - Livestream|How Social Posture Escalates Conflict - Livestream]] — exact quotation from the developed livestream document. - **Conceptual context:** Displays change expectations about cost and may provoke submission, withdrawal, coalition response, or a matching escalation. Posture and response therefore participate in a feedback process. ## Related Articles and Collections - **Collection:** [[collections/Simple Reminders|Simple Reminders]] - **Article:** [[articles/The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley|The Evolutionary Roots of Silicon Valley]] - **Article:** [[articles/Digital Darwinism and the Invisible World of Machine Evolution|Digital Darwinism and the Invisible World of Machine Evolution]] - **Livestream:** [[livestreams/How Social Posture Escalates Conflict - Livestream|How Social Posture Escalates Conflict - Livestream]] ## Related Topics - [[wiki/Threat Display|Threat Display]] ## Share on Social Media ``` “Among primates, threat displays tend to provoke matching displays. A raised posture invites a raised posture, while relaxed body language and calm signals often lower the tension on both sides. People respond to approach and posture in much the same way.” — Bryant McGill, How Social Posture Escalates Conflict - Livestream (Jul 2016) https://bryantmcgill.com/simple-reminders-bryant-mcgill-calm-signals-primate-escalation ```