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On the Evolution of Imitative Behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Jonas Bjoernerstedt
  • Karl H. Schlag

Abstract

We analyze the evolution of behavioral rules for learning how to play a two-armed bandit. Individuals have no information about the underlying pay-off distributions and have limited memory about their own past experience. Instead they must rely on information obtained through observing the per-formance of other individuals. Evolution is modelled using the replicator dynamic with the revision behaviors as replicators. We find that evolution favors a special class of imitative rules. These so-called strictly improving rules (Schlag, 1996) are found to be neutrally stable when facing any two-armed bandit. Further emphasis is put on which rules survive when.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonas Bjoernerstedt & Karl H. Schlag, "undated". "On the Evolution of Imitative Behavior," ELSE working papers 029, ESRC Centre on Economics Learning and Social Evolution.
    • Handle: RePEc:els:esrcls:029
    as

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    File URL: ftp://ftp.repec.org/RePEc/els/esrcls/ken378.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dekel, Eddie & Scotchmer, Suzanne, 1992. "On the evolution of optimizing behavior," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 57(2), pages 392-406, August.
    2. Schlag, Karl H., 1998. "Why Imitate, and If So, How?, : A Boundedly Rational Approach to Multi-armed Bandits," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 78(1), pages 130-156, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Schlag, Karl H., 1999. "Which one should I imitate?," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 31(4), pages 493-522, May.
    2. TANABE Yasuo, 2004. "A Result for Approximation of Imitational Behavior in Large Populations," ESRI Discussion paper series 084, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    3. Fernando Vega-Redondo, 1999. "Markets under bounded rationality: from theory to facts," Investigaciones Economicas, Fundación SEPI, vol. 23(1), pages 3-26, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    multi-armed bandit; social learning; payoff increasing; propor- tional imitation rule; replicator dynamic; neutral stability; survival.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C79 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Other

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