UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies
Question 57: Economy and Social Development
The term “Prisoner’s Dilemma” is associated with which one of the following?
AnswerThe answer is (c).
The Prisoner's Dilemma is a standard example in game theory. Two suspects, held separately, can each stay silent or betray the other. Whatever the other does, betraying gives each a better personal outcome, yet if both betray they end up worse off than if both had stayed silent. It shows how rational self-interest can lead to a worse joint result, and it is used to study cooperation and price wars.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) It is not a glass-making technique.
- (b) It is not a shipping term.
- (c) It is a situation in game theory.
- (d) It is not the name of a supercomputer.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.