What is the prisoners dilemma
The Prisoner's Dilemma is a game theory scenario that illustrates the conflict between individual self-interest and collective cooperation. It involves two individuals who have been apprehended and face charges related to a crime. The scenario goes as follows:
Both prisoners are held in separate cells with no means of communication. The prosecution lacks sufficient evidence to convict them on the main charge, so they offer each prisoner a plea deal. The deal is as follows:
- If Prisoner A remains silent and Prisoner B confesses, A will receive a reduced sentence (1 year) and B will receive a harsh sentence (10 years).
- If Prisoner A confesses and Prisoner B remains silent, A will receive the harsh sentence (10 years) and B will receive a reduced sentence (1 year).
- If both prisoners confess, both will receive a moderate sentence (5 years).
The dilemma comes from each prisoner having to choose between two options: cooperation (remaining silent) or betrayal (confessing). The optimal outcome for both prisoners would be mutual cooperation (both remaining silent), as they would receive the least combined years in prison. However, as the prisoners cannot communicate or trust each other, there is a risk that one will betray the other for personal gain. This leads to a situation where rational self-interest leads both prisoners to confess, resulting in a suboptimal outcome for both.
The Prisoner's Dilemma is often used as an example to analyze situations of strategic interaction, particularly in economics, political science, and psychology. It highlights the challenges of cooperation and the potential for individual incentives to undermine collective interests.