What is the incentive for betrayal in the prisoner's dilemma game?  A. Mutual cooperation  B. Mutual defection  C. Maximum competition  D. Minimum competition

Understanding the Prisoner's Dilemma

The Prisoner's Dilemma is a fundamental concept in game theory that illustrates the conflict between individual self-interest and mutual benefit. In this scenario, two players can either choose to cooperate with one another or betray each other (defect). The outcomes depend on their choices.

Analyzing the Options

1. Mutual Cooperation (A): This occurs when both players choose to cooperate, leading to a beneficial outcome for both. However, this does not represent an incentive for betrayal.

2. Mutual Defection (B): If both players defect, they both receive a lesser payoff than if they had cooperated. However, if one player thinks the other will cooperate, the best individual response is to betray, to receive a higher payoff.

3. Maximum Competition (C): This may refer to players trying to outdo each other, but does not succinctly capture the essence of betrayal within the context of the Prisoner's Dilemma.

4. Minimum Competition (D): This would not adequately capture the incentive for betrayal, as the Dilemma arises from competition between the players trying to maximize their own outcomes.

Final Answer

The incentive for betrayal in the Prisoner's Dilemma game is best represented by B. Mutual Defection. In the logic of the game, the potential for higher individual rewards incentivizes betrayal over cooperation, especially when considering the possibility that the other player might cooperate.