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The handicap principle, also known as the theory of honest signaling, states that a female preferentially mates with a handicapped male, which reduces mating odds even further. As a result, handicap is an excellent predictor of heritable viability.

This theory was developed by Amotz Zahavi in 1975, and it states that evolution can evolve to "honest" or trustworthy signaling amongst creatures with an evident desire to fool one other.

This principle is based on three factors.

- Signals are used to communicate between animals.

- Signals should be honest for successful communication - Honest signals are frequently pricey.

A great illustration of a handicapped principle is the peacock tail. This tail makes a male more apparent to predators and makes him less able to flee, indicating an obvious survival disadvantage.

As a result, the handicap principle is represented by the animals' honest signals.