"Unveiling the Power of Game Theory in Confronting Bullies"

New research from Dartmouth shows that being uncooperative can help individuals on the weaker side of a power dynamic achieve a more equal outcome and inflict losses on their abusive counterpart. The study, based on game theory, reveals an "unbending strategy" where resistance to being steamrolled causes extortionists to ultimately lose more than their opponent, resulting in a fairer outcome. This research has implications for labor negotiations, international relations, and even the integration of cooperation into artificial intelligence systems. The findings highlight the importance of standing up to bullies and promoting fairness and cooperation in various real-world scenarios.