Effect of asymmetry on cooperation in spatial evolution

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary game theory
• Social dynamics
• Behavioral economics

Background:

• Asymmetry is a fundamental aspect of natural and social systems.
• Understanding factors influencing cooperation is crucial for social and ecological stability.
• Previous models often focused on one-to-one interactions, limiting insights into population-level dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of payoff and abundance asymmetries on cooperation in population-level interactions.
• To extend the boxed pigs game to a spatial population context.
• To determine how varying levels of asymmetry influence cooperative behavior.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the boxed pigs game, a model with significant asymmetric traits.
• Extended the model from one-to-one interactions to population-level interactions.
• Incorporated spatial structure and considered asymmetry in both payoff and population abundance.

Main Results:

• Near-equal abundance and strength between two populations were found to suppress cooperative behavior.
• A unilateral increase in either strength asymmetry or abundance asymmetry positively influenced cooperation.
• Elevated levels of both strength and abundance asymmetry led to a breakdown of cooperation.

Conclusions:

• Cooperation is sensitive to the degree and type of asymmetry within interacting populations.
• Moderate, specific forms of asymmetry can foster cooperation, while excessive or combined asymmetries are detrimental.
• The findings highlight the complex relationship between asymmetry and the emergence and maintenance of cooperation in structured populations.