Tit for Tat
Cooperate and retaliate
Tit for Tat is a strategy for promoting cooperation and reciprocal altruism. It involves cooperating on the first move and then reciprocating on every move thereafter. If the other party defects, then defect in kind. This strategy has been shown to be effective in promoting cooperation and mutual benefit in various contexts, including business, politics, and personal relationships.
- Cooperate on the first move
- Reciprocate on every move thereafter
- Defect in kind if the other party defects
- Cooperate on the first moveStart by cooperating and setting a positive tone for the interaction.Pro tipBe open and transparent in your communication to build trust.WarningBe cautious of potential cheaters who may take advantage of your cooperation.
- Reciprocate on every move thereafterContinue to cooperate as long as the other party is also cooperating.Pro tipPay attention to the other party's actions and adjust your behavior accordingly.WarningBe prepared to defect if the other party cheats or defects.
- Defect in kind if the other party defectsIf the other party defects, then defect in kind to maintain a balance of power.Pro tipBe firm but not aggressive in your response to defection.WarningAvoid escalating the situation and try to find a mutually beneficial solution.
Two business partners agree to cooperate and share resources, but one partner defects by not contributing their share of the workload. The other partner defects in kind by withholding their resources, leading to a renegotiation of the partnership terms.
Two friends agree to cooperate and support each other, but one friend defects by not being supportive. The other friend defects in kind by not being supportive, leading to a reevaluation of the friendship.
The Tit for Tat strategy was first introduced by Robert Axelrod in his 1984 book 'The Evolution of Cooperation'. Axelrod conducted a computer tournament where different strategies were pitted against each other, and Tit for Tat emerged as the winner.