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Optimal Information Transmission

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  • Wei Ma

    (Department of Economics, University of Pretoria)

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of how a given piece of information should be transmitted from a better-informed doctor to an ill-informed patient. The information to be transmitted is expressed as a probability distribution on a space of the patient’s possible health states. For a formal analysis of the issue we develop a two-person dynamic game, in which the doctor sends a sequence of messages to the patient to inform him of his health state, and the patient, after receiving each message, chooses an action in an attempt to improve upon his current health status. We study some standard properties of the equilibria of this game; in particular, we show that it has a subgame perfect equilibrium.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei Ma, 2015. "Optimal Information Transmission," Working Papers 201530, University of Pretoria, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:pre:wpaper:201530
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    7. Gilboa, Itzhak & Schmeidler, David, 1989. "Maxmin expected utility with non-unique prior," Journal of Mathematical Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 141-153, April.
    8. Dillenberger, David, 2008. "Preferences for One-Shot Resolution of Uncertainty and Allais-Type Behavior," MPRA Paper 8342, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. David Dillenberger, 2010. "Preferences for One‐Shot Resolution of Uncertainty and Allais‐Type Behavior," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 78(6), pages 1973-2004, November.
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    11. Crawford, Vincent P & Sobel, Joel, 1982. "Strategic Information Transmission," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 50(6), pages 1431-1451, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Kirschstein, Thomas, 2018. "Planning of multi-product pipelines by economic lot scheduling models," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 264(1), pages 327-339.
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    3. Lange, Juliane & Stahl, Florian & Vossen, Gottfried, 2016. "Datenmarktplätze in verschiedenen Forschungsdisziplinen: Eine Übersicht," Arbeitsberichte des Instituts für Wirtschaftsinformatik 138, University of Münster, Department of Information Systems.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Information transmission; Dynamic game theory; Subgame perfect equilibrium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness

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