Prisoner’s dilemma: Difference between revisions

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An exercise in calculating economic outcomes by means of {{tag|metaphor}}.
An exercise in calculating economic outcomes by means of {{tag|metaphor}}.


Two people are arrested and charged with a conspiracy<ref>Whether or not they are guilty is beside the point. If it helps you empathise with their predicament, assume they’re innocent</ref>.  Each is held separately in solitary confinement. The two cannot communicate. The authorities have enough evidence to convict both on a lesser charge, but not the main charge. The authorities go to each prisoner separately and offer each the same bargain if she agrees to inform on her co-conspirator. The offer is:
Two people are charged with a conspiracy<ref>Whether or not they are guilty is beside the point. If it helps you empathise with their predicament, assume they’re innocent</ref>.  Each is held separately. They cannot communicate. There  is enough evidence to convict both on a lesser charge, but not the main charge. Each prisoner is separately offered the same plea bargain. The offer is:
*If A informs B but B refuses to inform on A:
*If A informs B but B refuses to inform on A:
**A will not be prosecuted on the lesser charge and will go free  
**A will not be prosecuted at all and will go free  
**B will be prosecuted on the main charge and serve a '''three''' year sentence
**B will be convicted of the main charge and will get '''3''' years in prison.
*If A informs B ''and'' B informs on A:
*If A informs B ''and'' B informs on A:
**A will serve a two year sentence
**A will get 2 years in prison
**B will serve a two year sentence
**B will get 2 years in prison
*If A refuses to inform on B and B refuses to inform on A:
*If A refuses to inform on B and B refuses to inform on A:
**A will serve a one year sentence (on the lesser charge).
**A will get 1 year in prison  (on the lesser charge).
**B will serve a one year sentence (on the lesser charge).
**B will get 1 year in prison (on the lesser charge).
 


===[[single round prisoner’s dilemma]]===
If you play this game in isolation the payoff is grim:




{{seealso}}
*[[I believe]]
{{ref}}
{{ref}}
{{draft}}
{{draft}}

Revision as of 12:10, 23 July 2018

Pay-off table

A cooperates

A defects

B cooperates

A gets 1 year
B gets 1 year

A goes free
B gets 3 years

B defects

A gets 3 years
B goes free

A gets 2 years
B gets 2 years

An exercise in calculating economic outcomes by means of metaphor.

Two people are charged with a conspiracy[1]. Each is held separately. They cannot communicate. There is enough evidence to convict both on a lesser charge, but not the main charge. Each prisoner is separately offered the same plea bargain. The offer is:

  • If A informs B but B refuses to inform on A:
    • A will not be prosecuted at all and will go free
    • B will be convicted of the main charge and will get 3 years in prison.
  • If A informs B and B informs on A:
    • A will get 2 years in prison
    • B will get 2 years in prison
  • If A refuses to inform on B and B refuses to inform on A:
    • A will get 1 year in prison (on the lesser charge).
    • B will get 1 year in prison (on the lesser charge).

single round prisoner’s dilemma

If you play this game in isolation the payoff is grim:


See also

References

  1. ↑ Whether or not they are guilty is beside the point. If it helps you empathise with their predicament, assume they’re innocent
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