This course deals with basics of non-cooperative game theory, which is a mathematical theory of competitive decision making situations, and many variations and generalizations of non-cooperative game theory through discussion, group work, lectures, and working on exercise problems.
The aim of this course is to acquaint the students with the characteristics of the theories by providing mathematical definitions of various concepts and analysis methods of the theories, which include: basic frameworks in non-cooperative game theory such as “games in normal form,” “games in extensive form,” and “repeated games,” and variations and generalizations of non-cooperative game theory such as “metagame theory,” “conflict analysis,” “hypergame theory,” and “soft game theory.”
Upon completion of this course, students should be able to:
1) State the definitions of concepts used in the mathematical theories of competitive decision making situations;
2) State the analysis methods in the mathematical theories of competitive decision making situations; and
3) State the characteristics of the mathematical theories of competitive decision making situations.
games in normal form, games in extensive form, repeated games, metagame analysis, conflict analysis, hypergame theory, soft game theory
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Each theory is dealt with over two or three classes.
In the first class, the students examine examples of decision making situations which can be described by the theory, first individually, second in pairs, then in groups of four, and finally with the class as a whole. Then a lecture on the theory is presented, and the students work on exercise problems. At the end of the class, each student writes and submits a “summary report” on what he/she learned through individual observation, other students’ ideas, the lecture, and exercise problems.
In the following class(es), as in the first class, the students learn analysis methods in the theory through discussion, group work, lectures, and working on exercise problems, then write and submit “summary reports.”
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Framework of games in normal form | State the definition and the characteristics of games in normal form |
Class 2 | Analysis of games in normal form | Explain analysis methods of games in normal form |
Class 3 | Application of games in normal form | Explain an example of applications of games in normal form |
Class 4 | Framework of games in extensive form | State the definition and the characteristics of games in extensive form |
Class 5 | Analysis of games in extensive form | Explain analysis methods of games in extensive form |
Class 6 | Frame work of repeated games | State the definition and the characteristics of repeated games |
Class 7 | Analysis of repeated games | Explain analysis methods of repeated games |
Class 8 | Metagame thory | State the characteristics of metagame theory |
Class 9 | Analysis in metagame theory | Explain analysis methods in metagame theory |
Class 10 | Framework of conflict analysis | State the characteristics of conflict analysis |
Class 11 | Analysis in conflict analysis | Explain analysis methods in conflict analysis |
Class 12 | Hypergame theory | State the characteristics of hypergame theory |
Class 13 | Analysis in hypergame theory | Explain analysis methods in hypergame theory |
Class 14 | Soft game theory | State the characteristics of soft game theory |
Class 15 | Analysis in soft game theory | Explain analysis methods in soft game theory |
Takehiro Inohara, “Rationality and Flexibility,” Keiso-syobo, 2002 (in Japanese) (Section 1.1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5) (ISBN-10: 4326502223, ISBN-13: 978-4326502226)
Takehiro Inohara, “Emotions and Perception,” Keiso-syobo, 2002 (in Japanese) (ISBN-10: 4326502231, ISBN-13: 978-4326502233). Course materials are found on OCW-i or provided during class.
Assessment will be based on “summary reports” written during each class (50% in total) and the final examination (50%).
Prospective students should have interests in decision making problems. Students must have successfully completed “Decision Making A” or have equivalent knowledge.
Takehiro Inohara, inostaff[at]shs.ens.titech.ac.jp
Instructor’s office: Rm. 813, 8 Fl., West Bldg. 9. Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.
This course includes the content of science.