QUEST I: THE HUMAN MIND

 

 

Game Theory: Using games to help predict human behavior in a variety of circumstances based on many assumptions, not the least of which is that individuals will act in their own self-interest to maximize their own reward. In some instances, cooperation is the better strategy, as the reward is better divided among multiple winners (Remember the Nash Equilibrium), as opposed to risking that no player wins. Of course, there is always the chance that one player will cheat, if they are willing to risk their share of the reward in the hopes of a very big payoff (Prisoners’ Dilemma). In other situations (zero-sum games like chess), direct competition is the better strategy, as the only possible outcomes are that one person wins and the other loses or a stalemate. Assuming the players understand the nature of the game they are playing and that the players are rational (two assumptions that are not always true), the best strategy is revealed.

 

For additional information, check http://pespmc1.vub.ac.be/ASC/GAME_THEOR.html for more information.

 

Go to the assigned website http://www.gametheory.net// and play. For each game, complete the following:

 

Name of the game:

 

 

 

Object of the game:

 

 

 

Strategy used:

 

 

 

Results:

 

 

 

Observations:

 

 

 

 

 

Name of the game:

 

 

 

Object of the game:

 

 

 

Strategy used:

 

 

 

Results:

 

 

 

Observations:

 

 

Name of the game:

 

 

 

Object of the game:

 

 

 

Strategy used:

 

 

 

Results:

 

 

 

Observations:

 

 

 

 

 

Name of the game:

 

 

 

Object of the game:

 

 

 

Strategy used:

 

 

 

Results:

 

 

 

Observations:

 

 

 

Name of the game:

 

 

 

Object of the game:

 

 

 

Strategy used:

 

 

 

Results:

 

 

 

Observations:

 

 

 

Name of the game:

 

 

 

Object of the game:

 

 

 

Strategy used:

 

 

 

Results:

 

 

 

Observations:

 

 

 

 

Click http://www.gametheory.net//News/ and read game theory in the news article of your choice and summarize it here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click http://www.gametheory.net//html/popular.html and select a movie, book, play or television program and be prepared to describe the type of game featured in the storyline of the work selected. After reading about it, take the online quiz.