Resource Dilemmas: Simultaneous and Sequential Requests

这个项目研究了一类社会困境，在这种困境中，玩家群体被要求共享一个未知规模的资源池。相反，大小是从概率分布中随机抽样的，这是常识。小组的每个成员都要求分享资源；只有当群体请求总数不超过x时，个体请求才会被批准。实验证据表明，随着资源大小的不确定性增加，人们会增加请求，从而增加其请求被拒绝的概率。在这种情况下，将进行六个实验来研究几个感兴趣的变量，包括资源的不确定性，迭代次数（来自一个人的可能请求），公开和秘密信息的价值，以及有关单个请求的反馈速度。将考虑几种情况协议。在一种协议下，请求是独立地同时发出的，在第二种协议下，请求是顺序发出的，而在第三种协议下，只提供时间顺序信息。实验由描述平衡解的博弈论模型和涉及焦点概念的心理学模型驱动。该奖项将在本科生研究经验计划（REU）下进行补充。本项目为本科生提供了多种极好的研究机会。这项研究有几个组成部分，本科生有机会为项目做出贡献，并与主要研究者密切合作。具体来说，将支持两名本科生。这些学生将参与一系列实验的设计、实施和分析。在学生规划职业目标时，将学生融入项目的各个阶段应该对他们有很大的好处。

This project examines a class of social dilemmas in which groups of players are asked to share a resource pool whose size is not known. Rather, the size is sampled randomly from a probability distribution which is common knowledge. Each member of the group requests a share of the resource; individual requests are granted only if the total group request does not exceed x. Experimental evidence shows that as the uncertainty about the resource size increases, people increase their requests thereby increasing the probability that their requests will be denied. Six experiments will be conducted to study several variables of interest in such situations including the amount of uncertainty about the resource, the number of iterations (possible requests from one individual), the value of public and secret information, and speed of feedback concerning individual requests. Several situation protocols will be considered. Under one protocol requests are made independently and simultaneously, under a second protocol requests are made sequentially, and under third protocol only chronological information is provided. The experiments are driven by game theoretical models describing equilibrium solutions and psychological models involving the concept of focal points. This award is to be supplemented under the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program. This project provides a variety of excellent research opportunities for for undergraduate students. There are several components of the research where undergraduates have an opportunity to contribute to the project and to work closely with the principal investigator. Specifically, two undergraduate students will be supported. These students will be involved in design, conduct, and analysis of a series of experiments. The integration of students into all phases of the project should be of significant benefit to the students as they plan career goals.