Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/62433 
Year of Publication: 
2012
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 6711
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Players cooperate in experiments more than game theory would predict. In order to explain this, we introduce the 'returns-based beliefs' approach: the expected returns of a particular strategy in proportion to the total expected returns of all strategies. Using a decision analytic solution concept, Luce's (1959) probabilistic choice model, and 'hyperpriors' for ambiguity in players' cooperability, our approach explains empirical observations in classic games such as the Prisoner's Dilemma. Testing the closeness of fit of our model on Selten and Chmura (2008) data for completely mixed 2x2 games shows that with loss aversion, returns-based beliefs explain the data better than other equilibrium concepts.
Subjects: 
subjective probabilities
decision making
cooperation
JEL: 
D01
D03
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
382.77 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.