Objective
I will use game theory to study how ideas initially developed in economics can be applied to the problem of the evolution of cooperation in biology. Cooperation is usually explained by evolutionary theory by invoking iterations, which allow reciprocation, punishment or reputation effects; the prisoner’s dilemma has become the standard model to analyse these problems. However, there are other possible explanations and different, more appropriate theoretical models that can shed light on the problem. First, in a bilateral relationship in which one individual contracts another to carry out an action, setting the right costs and rewards of the interaction may lead the possible partners to screen themselves according to their own interest. Moreover, by making the reward conditional on the outcome of the effort, an individual can give an incentive to the partner to cooperate even in the absence of iterations. These two ideas are known in microeconomics as adverse selection and moral hazard. In the first part of my research I will develop similar models for evolutionary biology, analyse the differences of the assumptions and extend the models to cases of biological interest. Second, social dilemmas arising in N-person games can often be more properly described as a volunteer’s dilemma, in which if volunteering is costly, but so is failure to produce the public good, cheaters can invade and form a stable mixed equilibrium with cooperators. The dilemma is that the benefit for the group decreases with group size because the larger the group is, the less likely it is that someone volunteers. I will analyse this problem for cases in which individuals are related, more than one volunteer is needed and other specific assumptions. This will provide predictions that will be tested with behavioural experiments and will ultimately provide practical solution for the production of collective goods.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics
- social sciences economics and business economics microeconomics
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- natural sciences mathematics applied mathematics game theory
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IIF
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
4051 Basel
Switzerland
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