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Optimal Cooperation-Trap Strategies for the Iterated Rock-Paper-Scissors Game

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  • Zedong Bi
  • Hai-Jun Zhou

Abstract

In an iterated non-cooperative game, if all the players act to maximize their individual accumulated payoff, the system as a whole usually converges to a Nash equilibrium that poorly benefits any player. Here we show that such an undesirable destiny is avoidable in an iterated Rock-Paper-Scissors (RPS) game involving two rational players, X and Y. Player X has the option of proactively adopting a cooperation-trap strategy, which enforces complete cooperation from the rational player Y and leads to a highly beneficial and maximally fair situation to both players. That maximal degree of cooperation is achievable in such a competitive system with cyclic dominance of actions may stimulate further theoretical and empirical studies on how to resolve conflicts and enhance cooperation in human societies.

Suggested Citation

  • Zedong Bi & Hai-Jun Zhou, 2014. "Optimal Cooperation-Trap Strategies for the Iterated Rock-Paper-Scissors Game," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(10), pages 1-6, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0111278
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111278
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin J. Osborne & Ariel Rubinstein, 1994. "A Course in Game Theory," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262650401, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vincent Srihaput & Kaylee Craplewe & Benjamin James Dyson, 2020. "Switching Competitors Reduces Win-Stay but Not Lose-Shift Behaviour: The Role of Outcome-Action Association Strength on Reinforcement Learning," Games, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Benjamin J. Dyson, 2019. "Behavioural Isomorphism, Cognitive Economy and Recursive Thought in Non-Transitive Game Strategy," Games, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Zhijian Wang & Yanran Zhou & Jaimie W. Lien & Jie Zheng & Bin Xu, 2016. "Extortion Can Outperform Generosity in the Iterated Prisoners' Dilemma," Levine's Bibliography 786969000000001297, UCLA Department of Economics.
    4. repec:cla:levarc:786969000000001297 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Alfaro, Gaspar & Sanjuan, Miguel A.F., 2022. "Time-dependent effects hinder cooperation on the public goods game," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).

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