Bayesian analysis of deterministic and stochastic prisoner’s dilemma games

Abstract

This paper compares the behavior of individuals playing a classic two-person deterministic prisoner’s dilemma (PD) game with choice data obtained from repeated interdependent security prisoner’s dilemma games with varying probabilities of loss and the ability to learn (or not learn) about the actions of one’s counterpart, an area of recent interest in experimental economics. This novel data set, from a series of controlled laboratory experiments, is analyzed using Bayesian hierarchical methods, the first application of such methods in this research domain.

Keywords

• prisoner’s dilemma
• uncertainty
• bayesian analysis
• controlled experiments