Evolutionary game theory is a mathematical framework that combines elements from traditional game theory with principles of Darwinian evolution to analyze the behavior and strategies of individuals in populations over time. It provides a theoretical model for understanding how certain strategies and traits are favored or disfavored by the process of natural selection.
In this context, games refer to situations where multiple individuals interact and make decisions, each trying to maximize their own fitness or success. The traditional game theory predicts how rational players should behave in these games, assuming they aim to maximize their immediate payoffs. However, evolutionary game theory extends this by incorporating the idea that individuals can adapt and change their strategies over generations based on their success or failure in the game.
By considering the evolution of strategies, evolutionary game theory seeks to explain the emergence and persistence of certain behaviors, such as cooperation or aggression, rather than simply assuming they exist. It examines how different strategies interact and compete with each other, how they spread or decline in a population, and how adaptations occur.
The framework of evolutionary game theory employs mathematical models, such as the famous Prisoner's Dilemma and Hawk-Dove games, to simulate the dynamics of evolutionary processes. These models allow researchers to predict and understand the conditions under which certain strategies are evolutionarily stable or prone to invasion by alternative strategies.
Evolutionary game theory has found applications in various fields, including biology, economics, sociology, and computer science. It provides insights into the origins and evolution of social cooperation, animal behavior, cultural norms, and even the dynamics of financial markets.
