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On the smooth unfolding of bifurcations in quantal-response equilibria

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  • Harris, Adam
  • McCallum, Scott
  • Harré, Michael S.

Abstract

We report on the topological structure of logit quantal response equilibria for asymmetric, two-player, two-choice games in normal form, via catastrophe theory. We present three main outcomes: first, a novel, smooth potential function for the underlying dynamics, relative to which logit equilibria arise as stationary points comprising a parameterised hyper-surface; secondly, a proof that all catastrophes within this manifold are of order at most three, i.e. “folds and cusps”; thirdly, discovery of a new topological phenomenon, the “pleated loop”, corresponding to a pair of opposed pitchfork bifurcations. This we exhibit for games, such as Prisoner's Dilemma, that have a unique Nash equilibrium, with multiple logit equilibria for finite precision parameters. These results extend work at the intersection of stochastic decision theory and catastrophe theory with economic games. Their application to the problem of bifurcations in the tracing procedure for logit solutions, proposed by McKelvey and Palfrey, is discussed throughout.

Suggested Citation

  • Harris, Adam & McCallum, Scott & Harré, Michael S., 2026. "On the smooth unfolding of bifurcations in quantal-response equilibria," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 535-570.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:gamebe:v:157:y:2026:i:c:p:535-570
    DOI: 10.1016/j.geb.2023.08.011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John C. Harsanyi & Reinhard Selten, 1988. "A General Theory of Equilibrium Selection in Games," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262582384, December.
    2. Michael S. Harr'e & Adam Harris & Scott McCallum, 2019. "Singularities and Catastrophes in Economics: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions," Papers 1907.05582, arXiv.org.
    3. Turocy, Theodore L., 2005. "A dynamic homotopy interpretation of the logistic quantal response equilibrium correspondence," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 51(2), pages 243-263, May.
    4. McKelvey Richard D. & Palfrey Thomas R., 1995. "Quantal Response Equilibria for Normal Form Games," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 10(1), pages 6-38, July.
    5. Jacob K. Goeree & Charles A. Holt & Thomas R. Palfrey, 2016. "Quantal Response Equilibrium:A Stochastic Theory of Games," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 10743, December.
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