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Human game experiment to verify the equilibrium selection controlled by design

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  • Wang Zhijian
  • Shan Lixia
  • Yao Qinmei
  • Wang Yijia

Abstract

We conducted a laboratory experiment involving human subjects to test the theoretical hypothesis that equilibrium selection can be impacted by manipulating the games dynamics process, by using modern control theory. Our findings indicate that human behavior consists with the predictions derived from evolutionary game theory paradigm. The consistency is supported by three key observations: (1) the long-term distribution of strategies in the strategy space, (2) the cyclic patterns observed within this space, and (3) the speed of convergence to the selected equilibrium. These findings suggest that the design of controllers aimed at equilibrium selection can indeed achieve their theoretical intended purpose. The location of this study in the knowledge tree of evolutionary game science is presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang Zhijian & Shan Lixia & Yao Qinmei & Wang Yijia, 2024. "Human game experiment to verify the equilibrium selection controlled by design," Papers 2411.06847, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2411.06847
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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. Cason, Timothy N. & Friedman, Daniel & Hopkins, Ed, 2010. "Testing the TASP: An experimental investigation of learning in games with unstable equilibria," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 145(6), pages 2309-2331, November.
    3. Friedman, Daniel & Cason, Timothy N & Hopkins, Ed, 2012. "Cycles and Instability in a Rock-Paper-Scissors Population Game: a Continuous Time Experiment," Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt6947v2f5, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz.
    4. Wang Zhijian, 2022. "Game Dynamics Structure Control by Design: an Example from Experimental Economics," Papers 2203.06088, arXiv.org.
    5. Reinhard Selten & Thorsten Chmura, 2008. "Stationary Concepts for Experimental 2x2-Games," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 98(3), pages 938-966, June.
    6. Bin Xu & Shuang Wang & Zhijian Wang, 2014. "Periodic frequencies of the cycles in 2 × 2 games: evidence from experimental economics," The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Springer;EDP Sciences, vol. 87(2), pages 1-10, February.
    7. Timothy N. Cason & Daniel Friedman & ED Hopkins, 2014. "Cycles and Instability in a Rock--Paper--Scissors Population Game: A Continuous Time Experiment," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 81(1), pages 112-136.
    8. Cason, Timothy N. & Friedman, Daniel & Hopkins, Ed H, 2009. "Testing the TASP: An Experimental Investigation of Learning in Games with Unstable Equilibria," Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt8kp6c049, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz.
    9. Wang Zhijian, 2023. "Nash equilibrium selection by eigenvalue control," Papers 2302.09131, arXiv.org.
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