The power of similar mutually perceived signals seems to lie behind the concept of “psychological dominance” used by Luce and Raiffa to discuss the appeal in certain games of a jointly inadmissible equilibrium point.

XREF: Connects to game theory concepts (Luce and Raiffa) and coordination problems, possibly resonating with Nash equilibrium or Schelling points discussions.

Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, loc. 874