Irrationality, suboptimality, and the evolutionary context

Cuthill, Innes; Steer, Mark

Abstract

We propose that a direct analogy can be made between optimal behaviour in animals and rational behaviour in humans, and that lessons learned by the study of the former can be applied to the latter. Furthermore, we suggest that, to understand human decisions, rationality must be considered within an evolutionary framework.

Citation

Cuthill, I., Steer, M., & Cuthill, I. C. (2003). Irrationality, suboptimality, and the evolutionary context. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 26(2), 176-177. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X03460056

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2003
• Journal: Behavioral and Brain Sciences
• Print ISSN: 0140-525X
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 176-177
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X03460056
• Keywords: backward induction, centipede game, common knowledge, cooperation, epistemic reasoning, game theory, payoff dominance, pure coordination game, rational choice theory, social dilemma
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1070881
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X03460056