When do we develop the ability to  make forward-looking choices in multi-person strategic settings? Evidence has often shown that people have problems making several steps of reasoning. This prevents them from making forward looking choices because these require usually to evaluate subsequent (linked) moves from now and the end date. Read more here.

Difficulties in playing mixed strategies are likely linked to the human inability to randomize. Evidence shows that we have a hard time generating strings of random numbers, a difficulty linked to limitations of executive functions in the context of complex tasks. Read more here.

Mixed strategies are difficult to play at all ages. Evidence from our laboratory demonstrate that children, teens and adults play very similarly in mixed strategy games. Read more here.

The developmental trajectory of coordination. We show in this experiment with children and adolescents that this ability develops gradually. However, coordination in the stag hunt game is easier to acheive than coordination in the battle of the sexes. Read more here.

Logic and Theory of Mind. Adults are known to not play at equilibrium in the centipede game, a behavior associated with failure of backward induction. Evidence from our laboratory indicates that the ability to backward induct predicts Nash play only among young children. As we age, theory of mind guide us away from backward induction arguments and help us best respond to (non equilibrium) play. Read more here.

How does age influence our ability to make the best decision in situations that require to think contingently? Evidence on adverse selection games has shown that adults are not able to apply contingent reasoning.  Recent studies suggest that this difficulty can be reduced if the problem is framed in certainty terms (instead of facing one seller selling one good with unknown quality, facing two sellers selling goods of different qualities but being forced to offer one price). Still, adults have trouble with the reasoning. What about adolescents? Read more here.

Cognition and decision-making in non human animals? Evolution has shaped cognitive abilities, decision-making and institutions. Differences and similarities between species are indicative of specific evolutionary trends. How does strategic behavior in non human primates compares to strategic behavior in humans? Can this help us better understand our abilities and their limits?  Read more here.