On the outcome equivalence of backward induction and extensive form rationalizability

A. Heifetz*, A. Perea ý Monsuwé

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Pearce’s (Econometrica 52:1029-1050, 1984) extensive-form rationalizablity (EFR) is a solution concept embodying a best-rationalization principle (Battigalli, Games Econ Behav 13:178-200, 1996; Battigalli and Siniscalchi, J Econ Theory 106:356-391, 2002) for forward-induction reasoning. EFR strategies may hence be distinct from backward-induction (BI) strategies. We provide a direct and transparent proof that, in perfect-information games with no relevant ties, the unique BI outcome is nevertheless identical to the unique EFR outcome, even when the EFR strategy profile and the BI strategy profile are distinct.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)37-59
Number of pages23
JournalInternational Journal of Game Theory
Volume44
Issue number1
Early online date19 Mar 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2015

Keywords

  • Backward induction
  • Extensive-form rationalizability
  • Forward induction
  • ORDER INDEPENDENCE
  • DOMINANCE
  • PERFECTION
  • EQUILIBRIA
  • GAMES

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