An Institutional Mechanism for Assortment in an Ecology of Games
2011
How Game Rules Affect Cooperation
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Paul E. Smaldino, Mark Lubell
Primary Institution: University of California Davis
Hypothesis
Can capacity constraints in games promote cooperation among players?
Conclusion
Capacity constraints can effectively promote positive assortment and increase cooperation in social games.
Supporting Evidence
- Capacity constraints allow cooperators to cluster together, enhancing their chances of success.
- The model shows that positive assortment is crucial for cooperation to evolve.
- Simple institutional mechanisms can be more effective than complex ones in promoting cooperation.
Takeaway
When there are limits on how many players can join a game, it helps people work together better. It's like making sure there aren't too many people in a game so that everyone can play nicely.
Methodology
An agent-based model was developed to simulate cooperation in multiple public goods games with capacity constraints.
Limitations
The model assumes fixed strategies and does not account for complex individual behaviors or adaptations.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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