game theorist
Studies rational decisions
A game theorist studies game theory—the mathematical analysis of strategic decision-making among rational actors.
The field applies to economics, politics, biology, and anywhere choices depend on others' choices: Game theorists predicted the auction outcome.
The term can describe academics or anyone who analyzes situations through this strategic lens.
Worst-case loss reduction
- zero-sumBalanced gains and losses
- non-cooperativeRefusing joint effort
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
- screeningEvaluative selection process
Enemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- contestOrganized competitive event
- zero-sumBalanced gains and losses
winner · loser · tournament · championship · defeat · victory · underdog · competitive advantage
Competitive public sales
- voting systemsProcedures for aggregating preferences
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
- prisoner's dilemmaStrategic game theory scenario
coordination · collective action · public goods · tragedy of commons · negotiations · contracts · pricing · climate agreements
Functional worth or purpose
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- incentivesRewards prompting action
- preferencesFavored options among alternatives
- payoffsBenefits gained from effort
beliefs · common knowledge · strategic thinking · credibility · risk aversion
- Nobel laureateDistinguished achievement award recipient
- PrincetonIvy League university
minimax
Worst-case loss reduction
- zero-sumBalanced gains and losses
- non-cooperativeRefusing joint effort
- signalingConveying information nonverbally
adversary
Enemy in conflict
- opponentOne who contends against
- rivalryOngoing contest between opponents
- contestOrganized competitive event
zero-sum · winner · loser · tournament · championship · defeat · victory · underdog · competitive advantage · bluffing
auctions
Competitive public sales
- voting systemsProcedures for aggregating preferences
- bargainingNegotiating mutually acceptable terms
- arms raceEscalating weapons accumulation between nations
prisoner's dilemma · coordination · collective action · public goods · tragedy of commons · negotiations · contracts · pricing · climate agreements
utility
Functional worth or purpose
- optimizationMaximizing efficiency or performance
- incentivesRewards prompting action
- preferencesFavored options among alternatives
payoffs · beliefs · common knowledge · strategic thinking · credibility · risk aversion
John Nash
- Nobel laureateDistinguished achievement award recipient
- PrincetonIvy League university
game theoristplayer
Game participant
participant · practitioner · competitor · decision-maker · stakeholder
game, games, gamed, gaming, gamer, gamers, gameplay, gamelike, theory