In this paper, we use game theory to understand decisions to cooperate or to compete in the delivery of public health services. Health care is a quasi-public good that is often associated with altruistic behavior, yet it operates in an increasingly competitive environment. With mounting health care regulation and changes in privatization,…

The author uses game theoretical models to identify technical communication breakdowns encountered during the notoriously confusing Texas Two-Step voting and caucusing process. Specifically, the author uses narrative theory and game theory to highlight areas where caucus participants needed instructions to better understand the rules of the game…

We introduce a game theory model of individual decisions to cooperate by contributing personal resources to group decisions versus by free riding on the contributions of other members. In contrast to most public-goods games that assume group returns are linear in individual contributions, the present model assumes decreasing marginal group…

This work is about analyzing games as models of systems. The goal is to understand the techniques that have been used by game designers in the past, and to compare them to the study of mathematical game theory. Through the study of a system or concept a model often emerges that can effectively educate students about making intelligent decisions…

Game theory approaches to find optimal marketing decisions are considered. Antagonistic games with and without complete information, and non-antagonistic games techniques are applied to paired comparison, ranking, or rating data for a firm and its competitors in the market. Mix strategy, equilibrium in bi-matrix games, bargaining models with…

Despite many applications of prospect theory's concepts to explain political and strategic phenomena, formal analyses of strategic problems using prospect theory are rare. Using Fearon's model of bargaining, Tversky and Kahneman's value function, and an existing probability weighting function, I construct a model that demonstrates the differences…

Describes a psychology experiment that investigated the effect of ambiguity on human decision-making behavior. (Available from Behavioral Science, University of Louisville, P.O. Box 1055, Louisville, KY 40201; $3.50 single copy.) (JG)

Game theory may be a fruitful basis for educational theory. After describing games and related concepts like "utility," the author sets up examples of how games may be used as a basis for selecting teaching strategies. For instance, a teacher may decide to change many aspects of his teaching style, rather than just one at a time, if there is a…

Presents a theoretical model of collective bargaining based on the premise that the expectations and learning ability of the negotiators play a central role in bargaining. Discusses some implications of the model. Available from: Sage Publications, Inc., 275 South Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90212. (JG)

Discusses application of systems analysis to social and behavioral science as well as machine and non-machine systems. Presents rationale, principles, techniques, and advantages and disadvantages. (CJ)

Operational gaming is a kind of decision simulation where the players make decisions within the framework of a simulated operating system. For the game to have value in developing vocational awareness, the decision-making exercise should be structured around a model of real life vocational decisions. The gaming experience aims toward helping the…

Discussion of issues focuses on a bahavioral paradigm; the design of games and simulations consonant with the framework of that paradigm; and the simulation, Interact II, designed especially to operationalize that perspective. (CMV)

THREE METHODS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ARE DISCUSSED--USE OF COMPUTERS, MATHEMATICS, AND EXPERTISE. THE USE OF EXPERTISE IS EMPHASIZED. THE DISCUSSION ON EXPERTISE JUDGMENT IS BASED ON PAPERS BY O. HELMER, WHICH ILLUSTRATE THE DELPHI METHOD OR CYBERNETIC ARBITRATION. ALTHOUGH COMPUTER AND MATHEMATICAL ANALYSIS (PARTICULARLY GAME THEORY) ARE BECOMING…

A Rand evaluation of activity and products of gaming, model-building, and simulation carried out under the auspices of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency aimed not only to assess the usefulness of gaming in military-political policymaking, but also to contribute to the definition of common standards and the refinement of objectives for…