Multi-dimensional iterative reasoning in action: The case of the Colonel Blotto game

Ayala Arad, Ariel Rubinstein

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    We introduce a novel decision procedure involving multi-dimensional iterative reasoning, in which a player decides separately on the various features of his strategy using an iterative process. This type of strategic reasoning fits a range of complicated situations in which a player faces a large and non-ordered strategy space. In this paper, the procedure is used to explain the results of a large web-based experiment of a tournament version of the Colonel Blotto game. The interpretation of the participants' choices as reflecting multi-dimensional iterative reasoning is supported by an analysis of their response times and the relation between the participants' behavior in this game and their choices in another game which triggers standard k-level reasoning. Finally, we reveal the most successful strategies in the tournament, which appear to reflect 2-3 levels of reasoning in the two main "dimensions".

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)571-585
    Number of pages15
    JournalJournal of Economic Behavior and Organization
    Volume84
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2012

    Keywords

    • Colonel blotto
    • Multi-dimensional iterative reasoning
    • Response time

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Economics and Econometrics
    • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

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