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Kay-Yut Chen and Tad Hogg
HP Labs
Abstract
Game theory suggests quantum information processing technologies
could provide useful new economic mechanisms. For example, using
shared entangled quantum states can alter incentives so as to
reduce the free-rider problem inherent in economic contexts such
as public goods provisioning. However, game theory assumes players
understand fully the consequences of manipulating quantum states
and are rational. Its predictions do not always describe human
behavior accurately. To evaluate the potential practicality of
quantum economic mechanisms, we experimentally tested how people
play the quantum version of the prisoner's dilemma game in a
laboratory setting using a simulated version of the underlying
quantum physics. Even without formal training in quantum
mechanics, people nearly achieve the payoffs theory predicts, but
do not use mixed-strategy Nash equilibria predicted by game
theory. Moreover, this correspondence with game theory for the
quantum game is closer than that of the classical game.
Full paper in PDF format
appeared in Quantum Information Processing, 5:43-67 (2006), with the original publication available at www.springerlink.com
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