Win-win game

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A win-win game is a game which is designed in a way that all participants can profit from it in one way or the other. In conflict resolution a win-win strategy is a conflict resolution process that aims to accommodate all disputants.

Contents 1 Types 2 Group-dynamics 3 See also 3.1 Literature

[edit] Types

• In mathematical game theory such games are also called non-zero-sum games.
• In the context of group-dynamic games, win-win games are also called 'cooperative games', 'new games' or 'games without losers'.
• In colloquial speech, a win-win situation often refers to situation where one benefits, not necessarily through someone else's loss.
• Win-win-win is where both parties win, and the middle man wins as a successful negotiator.
• The TKI Thomas Kilman Conflict Profile is a simple model that reveals your preference under stress and pressure. A Collaboration style is seen to be win-win focused.

[edit] Group-dynamics

Group-dynamics win-win games have been increasingly popular since the end of the Vietnam war and have been successfully applied to all levels of society.

Group-dynamics win-win games emphasize the importance of cooperation, fun, sharing, caring and over-all group success in contrast to domination, egotistic behaviour and personal gain. All players are treated as equally important and valuable. Win-win games often also carry an ethical message of caring for the environment and a holistic approach to life and society. Win-win games are a powerful tool to give people self-confidence and a 'we' experience, especially when they have suffered from emotional isolation.

An example would be a game where all players try to carry a huge 'earth ball' (a ball several meters in diameter) over their heads while negotiating an obstacle course. This is a typical example of a win-win game for several reasons:

• there are no losers (everyone enjoys the accomplished task).
• all players are involved (no-one is left out or sits out).
• the game is psychologically working on many levels (communication, supporting each other, having fun in a group etc)

Note that there are also mathematical win-win games; the mathematical term being non-zero-sum games. Such games are often simply represented by a matrix of pay-outs.

[edit] See also

• Abundance mentality
• Game
• Group-dynamic game
• Non-zero-sum game

[edit] Literature

v • d • e Topics in game theory Definitions Normal form game · Extensive form game · Cooperative game · Information set · Preference Equilibrium concepts Nash equilibrium · Subgame perfection · Bayesian-Nash · Perfect Bayesian · Trembling hand · Proper equilibrium · Epsilon-equilibrium · Correlated equilibrium · Sequential equilibrium · Quasi-perfect equilibrium · Evolutionarily stable strategy · Risk dominance · Pareto efficiency Strategies Dominant strategies · Pure strategy · Mixed strategy · Tit for tat · Grim trigger · Collusion Classes of games Symmetric game · Perfect information · Dynamic game · Repeated game · Signaling game · Cheap talk · Zero-sum game · Mechanism design · Stochastic game · Nontransitive game Games Prisoner's dilemma · Traveler's dilemma · Coordination game · Chicken · Volunteer's dilemma · Dollar auction · Battle of the sexes · Stag hunt · Matching pennies · Ultimatum game · Minority game · Rock-paper-scissors · Pirate game · Dictator game · Public goods game · Bargaining problem · Blotto games  · War of attrition Theorems Minimax theorem · Purification theorems · Folk theorem · Revelation principle · Arrow's theorem