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Testability of evolutionary game dynamics based on experimental economics data

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  • Wang, Yijia
  • Chen, Xiaojie
  • Wang, Zhijian

Abstract

Understanding the dynamic processes of a real game system requires an appropriate dynamics model, and rigorously testing a dynamics model is nontrivial. In our methodological research, we develop an approach to testing the validity of game dynamics models that considers the dynamic patterns of angular momentum and speed as measurement variables. Using Rock–Paper–Scissors (RPS) games as an example, we illustrate the geometric patterns in the experiment data. We then derive the related theoretical patterns from a series of typical dynamics models. By testing the goodness-of-fit between the experimental and theoretical patterns, we show that the validity of these models can be evaluated quantitatively. Our approach establishes a link between dynamics models and experimental systems, which is, to the best of our knowledge, the most effective and rigorous strategy for ascertaining the testability of evolutionary game dynamics models.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Yijia & Chen, Xiaojie & Wang, Zhijian, 2017. "Testability of evolutionary game dynamics based on experimental economics data," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 486(C), pages 455-464.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:486:y:2017:i:c:p:455-464
    DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2017.04.133
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Wang Zhijian, 2023. "Nash equilibrium selection by eigenvalue control," Papers 2302.09131, arXiv.org.
    3. Wang Zhijian, 2022. "Game Dynamics Structure Control by Design: an Example from Experimental Economics," Papers 2203.06088, arXiv.org.
    4. Wang Yijia & Wang Zhijian, 2023. "Pulse in collapse: a game dynamics experiment," Papers 2302.09336, arXiv.org.
    5. Timothy N. Cason & Daniel Friedman & Ed Hopkins, 2021. "An Experimental Investigation of Price Dispersion and Cycles," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 129(3), pages 789-841.
    6. Sun, Chengbin & Luo, Chao, 2020. "Co-evolution of influence-based preferential selection and limited resource with multi-games on interdependent networks," Applied Mathematics and Computation, Elsevier, vol. 374(C).
    7. Sun, Chengbin & Luo, Chao & Li, Junqiu, 2020. "Aspiration-based co-evolution of cooperation with resource allocation on interdependent networks," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    8. Zhijian Wang & Shujie Zhou & Qinmei Yao & Yijia Wang, 2022. "Dynamic Structure in Four-strategy Game: Theory and Experiment," Papers 2203.14669, arXiv.org.

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