1. Computer-Mediated Communication
Tournament Debrief

2. Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore
Why Game Theory for mediated communication?
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

3. Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore
Game Theory
“Game theory is the systematic study of interdependent rational choice. It may be used to explain, to predict, and to evaluate human behavior in contexts where the outcome of action depends on what several agents choose to do and where their choices depend on what others choose to do.”
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

4. Game Theory and Core Concepts
Analytical vs. Behavioral Game Theory
Cooperative and Non-Cooperative Games
Zero and Non-Zero Sum Games
One-Shot vs. Repeated
Equilibria
(i.e., Nash Equilibrium)
(example for cooperative game)
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

5. Why the Prisoner’s Dilemma?
… demonstrates how communication between individuals can significantly alter “the best strategy” for solving a problem where self interest might otherwise lead to a deficient outcome.
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

6. The Evolution of Cooperation
Axelrod’s famous (1984) tournament allowed individuals to submit any strategy.
All strategies played each other in the tournament.
The winner was one of the shortest submissions, about 4 lines of code.
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

7. The Simple Effectiveness of the Tit-for-Tat Strategy
Tit-for-Tat: begin with ‘cooperate’ and then do whatever the opponent did on the last turn.
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

8. Lessons from Tit-for-Tat
Be nice
It starts by cooperating. Most top-scoring strategies do this.
Be forgiving
It quickly and happily returns to cooperation without holding a grudge.
Be able to retaliate
It never allows defection to go unpunished.
Be clear
It is predictable and easy to understand. It pays to be predictable in non-zero sum games.
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

9. Considering the “Shadow of the Future”
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

10. Is Tit-for-Tat Always the Answer?
2-person repeated PD
N-person PD
Public Good
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

11. Some common complaints…
“Hey, isnt this rational choice?”
“This stuff explains the problem, not the solution!”
“A theoretical tool cannot explain real life, right?”
(Picture courtesy vismod.media.mit.edu)
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore

12. Revisiting our earlier question…Where does this apply to CMC?
Wherever we find mixed-motive situations and collective action…
Del.ic.ious
11/28/2018
Computer-Mediated Communication — Cheshire & Fiore