Chicken Game

 The game of Chicken, also known as the Hawk-Dove game, is an influential model of conflict for two players in game theory. The principle of the game is that while each player prefers not to yield to the opponent, the outcome where neither player yields is the worst possible one for both players. Mathematically, Chicken and Hawk-Dove are identical; the different names stem from parallel development of the basic principles in different research areas. ‘Chicken’ is the most prevalent in political science and economics literature, while ‘Hawk-Dove’ is most commonly used in biological and evolutionary game theory literature. The game of Chicken models two drivers, both headed for a single lane bridge from opposite directions. The first to swerve away yields the bridge to the other. If neither player swerves, the result is a costly deadlock in the middle of the bridge or a potentially fatal head on collision. It is presumed that the best thing for each driver is to stay straight while the other swerves. Additionally, a crash is presumed to be the worst outcome for both players. This yields a situation where each player, in attempting to secure his best outcome, risks the worst. The phrase game of Chicken is also used as a metaphor for a situation where two parties engage in a showdown where they have nothing to gain and only pride stops them from backing down.