Mechanism
Predator Deterrence
TL;DR
Making threats visible often neutralizes them.
Many alarm calls signal 'I've detected you' to predators. Cheetahs rely on surprise; once detected, success rate drops dramatically. By calling, prey signals that the hunt has failed, and predators often abandon the attempt to avoid wasted energy chasing alert prey.
The call isn't altruism; it's communication with the predator: 'I see you, give up.' Predators learn to avoid detected attempts, making alarm calling beneficial for the caller by terminating the threat.
Business Application of Predator Deterrence
Making threats visible often neutralizes them. Public disclosure of security vulnerabilities, transparent crisis communication, and signaling awareness to competitors can deter attacks before they escalate.