Game Theory: A Beginner's Guide

[nobahar]

Hello!
Does anyone know of any decent resources for learning to intepret and construct Game theory and signalling games and their ilk?
Thanks everyone
n.b. something user friendly, preferably.

 

[n1person]

Although I had a nice book when studying game theory, I cannot find a PDF of it online.. :-/

I did, however, find this http://william-king.www.drexel.edu/top/eco/game/game.html , with a brief google search. It seems to give a nice, non-technical overview.

 

[nobahar]

...with a brief google search...

Sorry, it wasn't me being lazy, just usually there are 'hidden gems' that people know about that don't always come up straight away. The site looks good though: thanks very much!
Additionally, the book you mentioned, if it's recommended, I would consider purchasing it or a related book.
Thanks for the reply,
Nobahar.

 

[n1person]

Oh sorry, I didn't mean it that way :P I was just trying to say that I haven't used it myself or had too much experience with it, I just went through it briefly to make sure if covered the key stuff.

I used the Dover book about called something like "Games and Decisions," I liked it a bit, although it was sort of verbose and think it could have worded things a little bit better and to the point. However it overall was an engaging book. Although I should note that I didn't read all of it though (like the first 6 chapters).

 

[nobahar]

Thanks N1 for going to the trouble to see if it covered the fundamentals, I've been working my way through it. I found the book you mentioned, contemplating buying it (but that's neither here nor there!).
Thanks for all your help and time.

 

[ojsimon]

how about a short introduction to game theory published by oxford university?

 

[nobahar]

I was interested in a biology orientated one, if there is, as that's how I came into contact with game theory. They seem to be mainly economics inclined.

 

[ojsimon]

yeah it is more economics focussed, but i guess you can apply it to other fields. But from what I've read i couldn't see any bilogical applications of it?

 

[nobahar]

Sorry, I should say Sociobiology. Concerning the evolution of certain behaviours. As coincidence would have it I read one just moments ago concerning Ravens and why it is beneficial for a selfish individual to hunt for food alone and then 'call' fellow ravens to the scene. Iterated Prisoner's dilemma and the high scoring 'nice' tactics that can be employed in it such as tit for tat can be used as an example to demonstarte how apparently altruistic behaviours could occur (this latter point is from The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins).
It features quite heavily in sociobiology apparently, hence why I'm trying to learn it.

 

[ojsimon]

I would definitely reccconmend this book for you then, i do not think it is very ecconomics based and has quite a lot of what you talk about. It deals with the prisoner's dilema, monty hall problem, bargaining theory, nash equilibrium and much more. I found it very good but did struggle to understand some of it, but then i am only an a level maths student.

 

[nobahar]

Thanks for the recommendation OJ. I might check out the local libraries before I commit to any books, though.