Incipient cognition solves the spatial reciprocity conundrum of cooperation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

From the simplest living organisms to human societies, cooperation among individuals emerges as a paradox difficult to explain and describe mathematically, although very often observed in reality. Evolutionary game theory offers an excellent toolbar to investigate this issue. Spatial structure has been one of the first mechanisms promoting cooperation; however, alone it only opens a narrow window of viability.

Methodology/principal findings

Here we equip individuals with incipient cognitive abilities, and investigate the evolution of cooperation in a spatial world where retaliation, forgiveness, treason and mutualism may coexist, as individuals engage in Prisoner's Dilemma games. In the model, individuals are able to distinguish their partners and act towards them

SUBMITTER: Vukov J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3058056 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature