Project description
A closer look at how cooperation evolves
The tit-for-tat strategy in the evolution of cooperation means that your cooperation is dependent on your partner's behaviour in the previous interaction. Little is known about the conditions in which tit-for-tat appears and how it manifests in changing environments. The EU-funded E-DIRECT project investigates direct reciprocity - as a fundamental mechanism for cooperation among non-kin. It focuses on developing a theory of reciprocity in heterogeneous groups based on mathematical models. The project will also develop a theory of reciprocity in changing environments. The main goal of the project is to establish a novel framework and new tools to study the evolution of strategic behaviour and cooperation.
Objective
Direct reciprocity is a fundamental mechanism for cooperation among non-kin. It is based on the idea that individuals are more cooperative when they interact in stable groups in which retaliation is possible. To model the evolution of reciprocity, researchers have used the framework of repeated games. Traditionally, these models rest on two assumptions. First, players are symmetric: they coincide in their strategic options, in their incentives to cooperate, and how they discount future payoffs. Second, the players' environment is fixed: players face the same game, with the same payoffs, in every round. Both assumptions are crucial, as they promote conditionally cooperative strategies like Tit-for-Tat. Yet in most natural applications, individuals are heterogeneous, and the games they play change over time. To address these two critical model limitations, we need to expand the theory of reciprocity. We focus on the following objectives: 1) Develop a theory of reciprocity in heterogeneous groups. Based on mathematical models and simulations, we study how different dimensions of heterogeneity affect the evolution of reciprocity. 2) Develop a theory of reciprocity in changing environments. Here, we explore the evolution of cooperation when the players' environment (and hence their feasible payoffs and strategies) can change from one round to the next. We ask which environmental feedback is most favorable to cooperation. 3) Explore the dynamics of asymmetric games with changing environments. Here, we analyze the intricacies that arise when both previous sources of complexity are present. 4) Verify the theory using behavioral experiments with human subjects. The success of the project will establish a novel framework and new tools to study the evolution of strategic behavior in non-constant environments. It will significantly enhance our ability to predict when reciprocity emerges under natural conditions.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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.
(opens in new window) ERC-2019-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
4040 LINZ
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.