Game theory Flashcards
1
Q
Describe how game theory is used in animal behaviour
A
- Payoffs = benefits/ costs of certain strategies measured in reproductive success/fitness
- Strategies include cooperating, competing or fighting
2
Q
What are ESS?
A
Evolutionary stable strategies
- Game theory identifies strategies that are stable in a pop. over time
- This means they can’t be invaded by alternative strategies
3
Q
Describe Nash equilibria
A
Stable state (in a game) where no individual can improve their outcome by changing their strategy (because its optimal)
4
Q
Describe why a 1:1 sex ratio is considered an ESS
A
- Equal opportunties to find a mate
- Maximised reproductive fitness
- Minimised intra-sexual conflit
- Devations from a 1:1 ratio are self-correcting (if one sex is unbalanced it a higher reproductive rate, eventually leading to increased abundance)
5
Q
Fill in the blanks of this matrix of the Dove-Hawk game.
Where:
v = value of resource
c = cost of fighting (to loser)
A
6
Q
Describe the Dove, Hawk and Bourgeois in the Dove-Hawk game
A
7
Q
What is the outcome of the Dove-Hawk game for the bourgeois
A
- Bourgeois always invades Dove
- Bourgeois can invade Hawk and resists hawk if v < c
