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Walking out of Social Traps

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  • MICHAEL W. MACY

    (Brandeis University)

Abstract

Theoretical and experimental studies of the iterated Prisoner's Dilemma have yielded a central insight into the logic of cooperation: the principle of reciprocity. However, previous models, based on either rational-actor or evolutionary processes of optimization, entail unduly restrictive assumptions. This essay proposes a behavioral alternative in which reciprocity is interpreted as operant conditioning - rewarding cooperation and punishing defection. The proposed stochastic learning model shows how players with no grasp of the structure of their relationship can escape social traps via random walk. Insights drawn from the two-person problem are then extended to multilateral encounters.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael W. Macy, 1989. "Walking out of Social Traps," Rationality and Society, , vol. 1(2), pages 197-219, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ratsoc:v:1:y:1989:i:2:p:197-219
    DOI: 10.1177/1043463189001002003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. J. Keith Murnighan & Alvin E. Roth, 1983. "Expecting Continued Play in Prisoner's Dilemma Games," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 27(2), pages 279-300, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Robert Boyd & Peter J Richerson, 2001. "The Evolution of Norms: An Anthropological View," Levine's Working Paper Archive 563824000000000126, David K. Levine.
    2. Fritz W. Scharpf, 1991. "Games Real Actors Could Play: The Challenge of Complexity," Journal of Theoretical Politics, , vol. 3(3), pages 277-304, July.
    3. Andreas Flache & Michael W. Macy, 2002. "Stochastic Collusion and the Power Law of Learning," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 46(5), pages 629-653, October.
    4. Guillermina Jasso, 1996. "Exploring the Reciprocal Relations between Theoretical and Empirical Work," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 24(3), pages 253-303, February.
    5. David Kraines & Vivian Kraines, 1995. "Evolution of Learning among Pavlov Strategies in a Competitive Environment with Noise," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 39(3), pages 439-466, September.
    6. Segismundo S. Izquierdo & Luis R. Izquierdo & Nicholas M. Gotts, 2008. "Reinforcement Learning Dynamics in Social Dilemmas," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 11(2), pages 1-1.
    7. Thomas Gautschi, 2000. "History Effects In Social Dilemma Situations," Rationality and Society, , vol. 12(2), pages 131-162, May.
    8. Piotr Swistak, 1990. "Comment on Macy," Rationality and Society, , vol. 2(2), pages 238-241, April.
    9. Bendor, Jonatahn & Diermeier, Daniel & Ting, Michael M., 2002. "The Empirical Content of Adaptive Models," Research Papers 1877, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    10. Michael W. Macy, 1990. "Reply to Swistak," Rationality and Society, , vol. 2(2), pages 242-247, April.
    11. Howard T. Welser & Eric Gleave & Deborah S. Vaughan, 2007. "Cultural Evolution, Disproportionate Prior Exposure and the Problem of Cooperation," Rationality and Society, , vol. 19(2), pages 171-202, May.
    12. Fritz W. Scharpf, 1990. "Games Real Actors Could Play," Rationality and Society, , vol. 2(4), pages 471-494, October.

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