Adolescents, Cognitive Ability, and Minimax Play

Geng, S.; Peng, Y.; Shachat, J.; Zhong, H.

Abstract

We conduct experiments with adolescent participants on repeated fixed play in three different zero-sum games which have mixed strategy minimax solutions. Further, we collect subject information on cognitive abilities and participation rates in competitive activities. We find the adolescents’ correspondences with and deviations from minimax play largely consistent with previously and widely studied adult populations. Further, we find strategic sophistication in terms of implementation of the mixed minimax strategy as well as earnings are not correlated with cognitive ability nor experience in competitive situations.

Citation

Geng, S., Peng, Y., Shachat, J., & Zhong, H. (2015). Adolescents, Cognitive Ability, and Minimax Play. Economics Letters, 128, 54-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2015.01.007

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 9, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Jan 21, 2015
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jan 14, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 23, 2015
• Journal: Economics Letters
• Print ISSN: 0165-1765
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-7374
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 128
• Pages: 54-58
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2015.01.007
• Keywords: Minimax, Experiment, Adolescent, Cognitive abilities.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1414486