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Players With Limited Memory

Author

Listed:
  • Huck Steffen

    (University College London, s.huck@ucl.ac.uk)

  • Sarin Rajiv

    (Texas A&M, rsarin@econmail.tamu.edu)

Abstract

This paper studies a model of memory. The model takes into account that memory capacity is limited and imperfect. We study how agents with such memory limitations, who have very little information about their choice environment, play games. We introduce the notion of a Limited Memory Equilibrium (LME) and show that play converges to an LME in every generic normal form game. Our characterization of the set of LME suggests that players with limited memory do (weakly) better in games than in decision problems. We also show that agents can do quite well even with severely limited memory, although severe limitations tend to make them behave cautiously.

Suggested Citation

  • Huck Steffen & Sarin Rajiv, 2004. "Players With Limited Memory," The B.E. Journal of Theoretical Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 4(1), pages 1-27, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:bejtec:v:contributions.4:y:2004:i:1:n:6
    DOI: 10.2202/1534-5971.1109
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    Cited by:

    1. Yilmaz Kocer, 2010. "Endogenous Learning with Bounded Memory," Working Papers 1290, Princeton University, Department of Economics, Econometric Research Program..
    2. Vostroknutov, Alexander, 2012. "Non-probabilistic decision making with memory constraints," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 117(1), pages 303-305.
    3. Yan Chen & Laura Razzolini & Theodore Turocy, 2007. "Congestion allocation for distributed networks: an experimental study," Economic Theory, Springer;Society for the Advancement of Economic Theory (SAET), vol. 33(1), pages 121-143, October.
    4. Vostroknutov, Alexander, 2005. "Non-Probabilistic Decision Making with Memory Constraints," MPRA Paper 2653, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised Jul 2007.
    5. Katerina Sherstyuk & Nori Tarui & Melinda Podor Wengrin & Jay Viloria & Tatsuyoshi Saijo, 2014. "Other-regarding behavior under collective action," Working Papers 201404, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Department of Economics.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    bounded rationality; games; memory; maxmin;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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