Activity 3.2.

1
The classical prisoner's dilemma
Introduction: You have probably never played a non-zero sum game. There are no winners or losers in this type of game. Here is one popular game you might like to try. Materials: Internet, handout, Pieces of paper and pencils. Background:

Image by Phyllis Jones

Lesson: 1. Divide into groups of 2. (a) Imagine you are a prisoner in the above scenario. Study the outcomes from each. (b) At the same time you and your partner write down your decision to confess or keep quiet. Place cards face down in the middle. Turn up at the same time and discuss what happens to each of you. (c) Repeat four more times and add the jail time for each player.

Extension: Try looking at the Tragedy of The Commons for another example. Questions: 1. What would be the best scenario for both players? Both go to jail for 1 year

2. Did you play the game differently after the first few rounds? No

3. Could one play ever win or lose in this type of game? No

4. Brainstorm another non-zero sum game and write down the basic rules. Share your ideas with the class. Leader: In the game of leader, two drivers want to merge into traffic from opposite sides of an intersection. The problem is that if they both wait (cooperate) until the other driver goes first then they are both delayed because nobody makes progress. However, if they both pull into the intersection (defect) at the same time then they may collide. If the leader pulls out, then the follower may still be able to merge with minimal delay.