Negative outcomes evoke cyclic irrational decisions in Rock, Paper, Scissors.

ABSTRACT: Rock, Paper, Scissors (RPS) represents a unique gaming space in which the predictions of human rational decision-making can be compared with actual performance. Playing a computerized opponent adopting a mixed-strategy equilibrium, participants revealed a non-significant tendency to over-select Rock. Further violations of rational decision-making were observed using an inter-trial analysis where participants were more likely to switch their item selection at trial n + 1 following a loss or draw at trial n, revealing the strategic vulnerability of individuals following the experience of negative rather than positive outcome. Unique switch strategies related to each of these trial n outcomes were also identified: after losing participants were more likely to 'downgrade' their item (e.g., Roc

SUBMITTER: Dyson BJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4740902 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature