Question

Suppose that each of two prisoners has the independent choice of confessing to a crime or not confessing to a crime they were both alleged to commit. If neither confesses, they spend 2 years in jail; if both confess, they spend 3 years in jail. If one confesses and the other does not, the confessor gets off with 1 year in jail while the other gets 6 years in jail. According to game theory, the likely strategy of the prisoners is that___________.

A. one will confess and the other will not.
B. neither will confess.
C. both may or may not confess.
D. both will confess.

Answer 1

Answer:

(D)

Explanation:

The point of game theory is to predict other people's behavior so that with that foresight you can choose the "best" behavior / action for yourself. It focuses on "strategic situations," which are situations in which the outcome depends not only on your choice alone but your choice and other people's choices.