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Learning by Imitation in Games: Theory, Field, and Laboratory

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  • Erik Mohlin
  • Robert Ostling
  • Joseph Tao-yi Wang

Abstract

We exploit a unique opportunity to study how a large population of players in the field learn to play a novel game with a complicated and non-intuitive mixed strategy equilibrium. We argue that standard models of belief-based learning and reinforcement learning are unable to explain the data, but that a simple model of similarity-based global cumulative imitation can do so. We corroborate our findings using laboratory data from a scaled-down version of the same game, as well as from three other games. The theoretical properties of the proposed learning model are studied by means of stochastic approximation.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik Mohlin & Robert Ostling & Joseph Tao-yi Wang, 2014. "Learning by Imitation in Games: Theory, Field, and Laboratory," Economics Series Working Papers 734, University of Oxford, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:oxf:wpaper:734
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yamada, Takashi & Hanaki, Nobuyuki, 2016. "An experiment on Lowest Unique Integer Games," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 463(C), pages 88-102.
    2. Mohlin, Erik & Östling, Robert & Wang, Joseph Tao-yi, 2015. "Lowest unique bid auctions with population uncertainty," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 53-57.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Learning; imitation; behavioral game theory; evolutionary game theory; stochastic approximation; replicator dynamic; similarity-based reasoning; generalization; mixed equilibrium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C72 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Noncooperative Games
    • C73 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Game Theory and Bargaining Theory - - - Stochastic and Dynamic Games; Evolutionary Games
    • L83 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Sports; Gambling; Restaurants; Recreation; Tourism

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