Game Theory and Economic Behavior

Unit 1 – Game Theory: Strategic Thinking Basics

Unit 2 – Games: Normal and Extensive Forms

Unit 3 – Dominant Strategies & Iterative Elimination

Unit 4 – Nash Equilibrium: Pure & Mixed Strategies

Unit 5 – Sequential Games & Subgame Equilibrium

Unit 6 – Repeated Games: Fostering Cooperation

Unit 7 – Bayesian Nash Equilibrium in Games

Unit 8 – Dynamic Games: Perfect Bayesian Equilibrium

Unit 9 – Cooperative Games: Coalitions & Bargaining

Unit 10 – Bargaining Theory & Negotiation

Unit 11 – Auction Theory & Mechanism Design

Unit 12 – Market Competition & Oligopoly Models

Unit 13 – Behavioral Game Theory: Bounded Rationality

Unit 14 – Evolutionary Game Theory & Learning

Unit 15 – Game Theory in Economics and Business

## What do you learn in Game Theory and Economic Behavior

Game Theory explores strategic decision-making in competitive situations. You'll study concepts like Nash equilibrium, dominant strategies, and mixed strategies. The course applies these ideas to economic scenarios, covering topics like auctions, bargaining, and market competition. You'll also dive into behavioral economics, examining how real-world decisions often deviate from rational models.

## Is Game Theory and Economic Behavior hard?

It can be challenging, especially if you're not a math whiz. The concepts are pretty abstract, and there's a fair bit of probability and calculus involved. That said, most students find it super interesting once they get the hang of it. The key is to practice a lot and not get discouraged if you don't grasp everything right away. It's definitely doable with some effort.

## Tips for taking Game Theory and Economic Behavior in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Practice, practice, practice solving game matrices and finding equilibria
3. Form a study group to discuss and debate different strategies
4. Don't just memorize formulas, focus on understanding the underlying logic
5. Apply concepts to real-world situations (like analyzing pricing strategies of competing companies)
6. Watch "A Beautiful Mind" for a dramatized look at John Nash's life and work
7. Read "The Art of Strategy" by Dixit and Nalebuff for accessible examples
8. Try online game theory simulations to see concepts in action

## Common pre-requisites for Game Theory and Economic Behavior

1. Microeconomics: Covers individual decision-making and market structures. You'll learn about supply and demand, consumer behavior, and firm theory.

2. Calculus: Focuses on rates of change and accumulation. This class will give you the mathematical tools needed for more advanced economic analysis.

3. Probability and Statistics: Introduces concepts of randomness, data analysis, and statistical inference. It's crucial for understanding strategic decision-making under uncertainty.

## Classes similar to Game Theory and Economic Behavior

1. Behavioral Economics: Explores how psychological, cognitive, and emotional factors influence economic decisions. It challenges traditional economic assumptions about rational decision-making.

2. Industrial Organization: Examines market structure, firm behavior, and strategic interaction. You'll learn about monopolies, oligopolies, and how firms compete in various market conditions.

3. Experimental Economics: Uses controlled experiments to test economic theories and predict outcomes. It's a hands-on approach to understanding economic behavior.

4. Decision Theory: Focuses on how individuals and groups make choices under uncertainty. You'll study risk, utility theory, and various decision-making models.

## Majors related to Game Theory and Economic Behavior

1. Economics: Analyzes production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Students learn to apply economic theories to real-world problems and policy issues.

2. Mathematics: Involves the study of quantity, structure, space, and change. Math majors develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills applicable to various fields.

3. Business Administration: Covers various aspects of managing organizations, including finance, marketing, and operations. Students learn to make strategic decisions in complex business environments.

4. Political Science: Examines political systems, behavior, and policies. Students analyze how game theory applies to political strategy and international relations.

## What can you do with a degree in Game Theory and Economic Behavior?

1. Economic Consultant: Applies economic theories to real-world problems for businesses or government agencies. They analyze data, create models, and provide strategic advice to clients.

2. Data Scientist: Uses statistical and computational techniques to extract insights from large datasets. They often work on predictive modeling and machine learning projects in various industries.

3. Financial Analyst: Evaluates investment opportunities and provides recommendations to businesses or individuals. They use game theory concepts to analyze market behavior and competitive strategies.

4. Policy Analyst: Researches and evaluates the effects of existing or proposed policies. They apply game theory to understand how different stakeholders might respond to policy changes.

## Game Theory and Economic Behavior FAQs

1. Do I need to be good at math to succeed in this course? While math skills are helpful, understanding the concepts and logic is more important. You can improve your math skills as you go along.

2. How is game theory used in the real world? Game theory is applied in various fields, from business strategy and politics to biology and computer science. It helps in understanding and predicting behavior in competitive situations.

3. Is this course only for economics majors? Not at all! While it's often housed in economics departments, game theory is interdisciplinary. Students from various majors can benefit from its strategic thinking tools.

4. Will this course help me in my personal life? Absolutely! Game theory can help you make better decisions in everyday situations, from negotiating a salary to understanding social dynamics.

Economics

1.1 Foundations and historical development of game theory

1.2 Key concepts: players, strategies, payoffs, and rationality

1.3 Types of games and their characteristics

1.4 Applications of game theory in economics and other fields

2.3 Information sets and imperfect information

2.4 Converting between normal and extensive form representations

2.2 Extensive form game representation and game trees

2.1 Normal form (strategic form) game representation

3.1 Strictly and weakly dominant strategies

3.3 Rationalizability and its implications

3.2 Iterative elimination of dominated strategies

4.1 Concept and properties of Nash equilibrium

4.2 Pure strategy Nash equilibrium

4.3 Mixed strategy Nash equilibrium

4.4 Existence and uniqueness of Nash equilibrium

5.1 Backward induction and sequential rationality

5.2 Subgame perfect equilibrium concept

5.3 Credible threats and promises

5.4 Applications in industrial organization and bargaining

6.2 Folk theorems and equilibrium payoffs

6.1 Finite and infinite horizon repeated games

6.3 Strategies for promoting cooperation (e.g., tit-for-tat)

6.4 Applications to collusion and tacit cooperation

7.1 Incomplete information and Bayesian games

7.2 Bayesian Nash equilibrium concept

7.3 Applications in auctions and oligopoly models

8.2 Beliefs, updating, and Perfect Bayesian equilibrium

8.3 Signaling games and their applications

8.1 Sequential games with incomplete information

9.1 Cooperative games and characteristic functions

9.3 Applications to voting power and cost allocation

9.2 Solution concepts: core, Shapley value, and nucleolus

10.1 Nash bargaining solution

10.2 Rubinstein bargaining model

10.3 Applications to labor negotiations and international trade

11.2 Revenue equivalence theorem

11.3 Optimal auction design

11.4 Mechanism design principles and applications

11.1 Common auction formats and their properties

12.3 Product differentiation and spatial competition

12.2 Stackelberg leadership model

12.1 Cournot and Bertrand competition models

13.2 Experimental evidence and behavioral biases

13.3 Quantal response equilibrium and level-k thinking

13.4 Prospect theory and framing effects in games

13.1 Limitations of rationality assumptions

14.1 Evolutionary stable strategies

14.2 Replicator dynamics and population games

14.3 Learning models in game theory

14.4 Applications to biology and social evolution

15.1 Industrial organization and market entry

15.2 Public goods and externalities

15.3 Political economy and voting systems

15.4 Business strategy and competitive advantage

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