The Concept Privacy and Its Biological Basis

Privacy is viewed as a regulatory process that serves to selectively control access of external stimulation to one's self or the flow of information to others. It may be manifested by a physical separation or withdrawal from conspecifics. Privacy may also be manifested by actions that mislead potential competitors as to the motivational status or strength of the individual in question. The degree to which this occurs is often related to simple economic (cost/benefit) principles. But in each species the variables that define the cost/benefit equation may vary. Generalizations about privacy are thus unlikely to prove useful.