Game theory and the evolution of behaviour

Abstract

AbstractEvolutionary game theory is a method of analysing the evolution of phenotypes (including types of behaviour) when the fitness of a particular phenotype depends onits frequency in the population. It was first applied to pairwise contests between animals. Such contests usually have some associated asymmetry, in size, prior residence, or age or sex status; the theory predicts that the asymmetry will be used as a cue to settlethe contest, and this is found to be the case. The theory can also be applied when individuals are competing against the population as a whole, or some part of it. In such cases, the evolution of variable behaviour - so-called mixed strategies - is predicted; actual examples of this are given. Game theory can be applied to the evolution of cooperative as well as of antagonistic behaviour. An analysis of the evolution of learning leads to testable predictions about learning behaviour.