The strategy that worked best in Axelrod's experiments using the Prisoners' Dilemma game was to:
A) play the "cooperate" ("don't confess") strategy.
B) play the "defect" ("confess") strategy.
C) alternate between "cooperate" and "defect" strategies.
D) play the "cooperate" strategy at first, and from then on do whatever the other player did in the previous round, cooperating if the other player did, and defecting if the other player did.
E) play the "cooperate" strategy in the first round, and from then on cooperate so long as the other player does, but if the other player defects, then play the "defect" strategy from that time forward.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The best strategy, called "tit-for-tat," is to play the "cooperate" strategy at first, and from then on do whatever the other player did in the previous round, cooperating if the other player did, and defecting if the other player did. This strategy maximizes the chances of cooperation and mutual benefit over time, while also punishing defection.

The Strategy That Worked Best in Axelrod's Experiments Using the Prisoners