Influences of agents with a self-reputation awareness component in an evolutionary spatial IPD game

PLoS One. 2014 Jun 19;9(6):e99841. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099841. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Iterated prisoner's dilemma (IPD) researchers have shown that strong positive reputations plus an efficient reputation evaluation system encourages both sides to pursue long-term collaboration and to avoid falling into mutual defection cycles. In agent-based environments with reliable reputation rating systems, agents interested in maximizing their private interests must show concern for other agents as well as their own self-reputations--an important capability that standard IPD game agents lack. Here we present a novel learning agent model possessing self-reputation awareness. Agents in our proposed model are capable of evaluating self-behaviors based on a mix of public and private interest considerations, and of testing various solutions aimed at meeting social standards. Simulation results indicate multiple outcomes from the addition of a small percentage of self-reputation awareness agents: faster cooperation, faster movement toward stability in an agent society, a higher level of public interest in the agent society, the resolution of common conflicts between public and private interests, and a lower potential for rational individual behavior to transform into irrational group behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Altruism
  • Computer Simulation
  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Game Theory*
  • Humans
  • Leadership
  • Learning
  • Social Facilitation*

Grants and funding

This work was supported in part by the High Speed Intelligent Communication (HSIC) research center, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, R.O.C. and by grants from the Republic of China National Science Council (NSC-102-2221-E-182-052 and NSC-102-2221-E-182-034). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.