The effects of prior learned strategies on updating an opponent's strategy in the rock, paper, scissors game

Cogn Sci. 2014 Sep-Oct;38(7):1482-92. doi: 10.1111/cogs.12115. Epub 2014 Mar 19.

Abstract

To explore how model building adapts to changing environments, we had participants play "rock-paper-scissors" against a computer that played a frequency bias or a player-dependent bias and then switched. Participants demonstrated their use of prior experience in how quickly they recognized and exploited changes in the computer's play strategy; in general, the more similar the strategies, the more efficient the updating. These findings inform our understanding of previously reported updating impairments in right-brain damaged patients.

Keywords: Bias structure; Mental model; Updating.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Game Theory
  • Games, Experimental*
  • Humans
  • Learning*
  • Male
  • Young Adult