Unexpected human behaviour revealed in prisoner's dilemma study: Choosing cooperation even after defected

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Rissho University and Meiji University has uncovered unexpected findings about human cooperation. Using classic game theory, but two poorly explored aspects of behavioural experiments, i.e., alternating games and voluntary participation, the study explores how individuals decide to cooperate or compete in various social situations. The results of the study were published in Scientific Reports.

The study also examined the impact of different game structures, such as simultaneous versus alternating decision-making, and the option of voluntary participation. The results showed that these variations significantly influence participants' cooperation rate.

The research reveals that people tend to cooperate even after being defected, which contradicts many traditional game theory models. "This finding is particularly fascinating because it suggests that humans are more forgiving and cooperative than previously thought," said Dr. Hitoshi Yamamoto, the study's lead researcher.

The study's findings suggest that current models of game theory may need to be revised to better reflect the complexity of human behaviour. The researchers hope that their work will inspire further studies into the nuanced nature of cooperation and competition among people.

Read more:

Yamamoto, H., & Goto, A. (2024). Behavioural strategies in simultaneous and alternating prisoner’s dilemma games with/without voluntary participation. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 21890. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73353-4