Game Theory and Marriage
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/13/marriage-and-the-art-of-game-theory.html
The article Marriage and the Art of Game Theory applies the concept of game theory to marriage. Game theory is the study of how we make decisions in strategic situations. Game theorists use math and models of conflict and cooperation to determine the best course of action in a given situation. It can be used in economics, political science, psychology, and even real life situations like social situations, and relationships.
In the article the author explains that spouses tend to bicker. Whether its about having different points of view on life, making decisions about children, or arguing about the toilet seat, spouses must learn to compromise and often have to forgo something, or a piece of something, they originally wanted. However, she argues that with game theory a spouse can learn to maximize his or her own outcomes in certain situations and during arguments.
To do so one should think ahead. They should ask themselves: “How will my partner react to what I am about to do or say?” Then they should ask: “How will this reaction influence my own behavior right now?” The author points out that people should learn from the past. How did the other person react last time? How does he/she usually respond? How can you do things differently to avoid the same outcome? Partners know each other very well and should be able to put themselves in their spouse’s shoes easily. Once you have decided what your partner will most likely do, then you should act in a way that benefits yourself.
In class we learned about Game Theory box models and how to make them. These same boxes and the math/logic used can be applied to not only marriage but in other real life situations like this. We also learned about Nash equilibrium, the stable state of a system involving two, or more, people in which a person is assumed to know the equilibrium strategies of the other player and has nothing to gain by changing his/her own strategy. However, some situations are not always straight forwards and simple. Some situations can have multiple Nash Equilibria or none at all. These are more difficult to navigate through and may take more luck and chance.