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How superstitions spread

A model by theoretical biologists demonstrates how superstitious beliefs can become established in a society's social norms, guiding the behavior of large groups. The research suggests that even irrational beliefs can be beneficial when correlated with others' actions, leading to coordinated behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 17, 2019

The friendly extortioner takes it all

Scientists found that a strategy called 'extortion' is unbeatable, as it alternates between cooperation and egoism to force opponents to cooperate. This tactic can lead to significant gains for the 'extortioner', even when competing against cooperative players.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 15, 2019

Researchers outline game-theory approach to better understand genetics

Researchers outline a novel view of biochemistry as a signaling game between genes and their associated macromolecules, where sender and receiver interactions lead to biochemical reactions. This approach reveals the presence of molecular deception and conflict of interest between gene players, with potential implications for understand...

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateSep 4, 2018

New study views cancer treatment as a game to find strategies that improve patient outcomes

A new study suggests that cancer treatment should be viewed as a game where physicians can exploit their knowledge of the cancer's evolutionary dynamics to develop flexible strategic treatment plans. By continuously adjusting drugs and doses, physicians can delay or prevent cancer progression caused by resistance.

Rush hour metro crowd governed by people's eagerness to go home

A new model examines the relative role of random interactions between individuals in a crowd compared to interactions stemming from their eagerness to be on their way. The study reveals that internal interactions between pedestrians can be negligible, and external factors such as crowd pressure drive the flow of people toward exits.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal Plus·DateJun 19, 2018

Why children with autism may be at risk of bullying

Research suggests that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are at higher risk of being bullied due to their willingness to accept unfair behavior and reduced reciprocation in trading games. The study found that children with ASD were 37% less likely to reciprocate fair offers and three times more likely to accept unfair offers...

SourceLancaster University·JournalAutism and Developmental Disorders·DateMay 3, 2018

Researchers develop the first model to capture crosstalk in social dilemmas

Researchers developed a new framework to analyze the effects of crosstalk on cooperation dynamics in groups. The model shows that crosstalk hinders the evolution of cooperation and requires strategies with the correct level of forgiveness. This has significant implications for understanding human behavior in social dilemmas.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 7, 2018

Is punishment as effective as we think?

A social dilemma experiment found that punishment is ineffective in promoting cooperation among players, with players instead replacing defection with punishment. The study suggests that punishment has a demoralizing effect and reduces the incentive to choose cooperation over competition.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 27, 2017

On a collision course with game theory

Researchers developed a new approach to modeling pedestrian behavior in collisions, combining game theory with the Fokker-Planck equation. Experiments confirm that the calculated paths match actual paths taken, suggesting a reliable solution for optimizing public spaces.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateSep 27, 2017

Profiting from the fight against corruption

Researchers at HEC Montréal found that cooperative civil society organizations can increase government payoffs, as they become more efficient and allocate time to productive activities. This surprising finding suggests that corruption can be a net positive for governments.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalMathematical Social Sciences·DateMar 13, 2017

Game theory could improve cyberwarfare strategy

A new framework guided by game theory, known as the Blame Game, can help policymakers decide whether to retaliate against a cyber attack. The framework considers vulnerability and potential consequences of assigning blame, helping nations make informed decisions in the face of increasing cybersecurity threats.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 1, 2017

How to get moral 'free-riders' to cooperate

Researchers found that pre-assessment of moral free riders can stabilize costly moral systems and promote cooperation. This approach considers a pool account where individuals can contribute in advance, allowing for more efficient detection of those unwilling to pay for justice.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalBiology Letters·DateJul 6, 2016

Why people help distant kin

A new study suggests that socially enforced nepotism, a concept that expands the classic theory of kin selection, may explain why people are altruistic towards distant kin. The simulations show that helping distant relatives can increase one's reputation and lead to more help from others, improving social rules and enforcing them.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalPLOS ONE·DateJun 15, 2016

Voters prefer to be represented by extortioners

In a climate game experiment, researchers found that 40% of participants chose representatives with extortionate strategies. However, these strategies ultimately led to successful outcomes due to the benefit for all parties involved. The results suggest that such strategies could be beneficial in avoiding dangerous climate change.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 8, 2016

New experiments challenge economic game assumptions

Researchers at Oxford University conducted a series of experiments that challenged traditional economic game assumptions. The results showed that people are more generous towards computers, which cannot benefit from cooperation, and that misunderstanding the game can lead to altruism in some cases.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 21, 2016

Frequently discounting maximizes retailer revenues

A study by UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business found that frequent discounting is the most optimal strategy for retailers to maximize revenues. This approach balances the trade-off between dynamic and static pricing, allowing retailers to charge high prices when demand is high while maintaining flexibility. By doing so, retailers can...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalManufacturing & Service Operations Management·DateSep 29, 2015

Altruism is simpler than we thought

A computational model suggests that generosity and selfishness can be both fast and effortless, depending on the person and context. The model indicates that people are happier when mistaken generosity doesn't happen, highlighting the importance of focusing on others' thoughts and experiences.

SourceCell Press·JournalNeuron·DateJul 15, 2015

Game intelligence can be learned

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a mathematical theory on game intelligence in team sports. They studied former NHL player Nicklas Lidström's moves during games and found that he used principles such as minimizing the opponents' best alternative to gain an edge.

Cooperation, considered

A new model developed by Harvard researchers explains how motives impact cooperation and why people trust genuine altruists over those who open envelopes. The 'envelope game' helps capture the notion that people value principle-driven behavior, especially in situations where cooperation comes with a cost.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 5, 2015

Know when to fold 'em

Researchers at the University of Alberta have solved heads-up limit Texas hold'em poker, a challenge problem for artificial intelligence going back over 40 years. The breakthrough is attributed to general algorithmic advances that make game-theoretic reasoning more tractable.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalScience·DateJan 8, 2015

Carrot or stick?

Researchers found that a sequential use of reward and punishment can promote cooperation in collaborative endeavors. The study suggests that initially rewarding minor cooperators and then punishing free riders can lead to better outcomes.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·DateDec 3, 2014

Solving the puzzle of cooperation in group environments

The study reveals that cooperation emerges when individuals assemble into groups that interact through repeated Public Goods Games. The authors propose an evolutionary game theory model, which suggests a large set of possible responses depending on previous levels of group cooperation. Ultimately, the most successful strategy is 'All-o...

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Computational Biology·DateNov 13, 2014