Cooperate Quote by Anatol Rapoport
“Cooperate on move one; thereafter, do whatever the other player did the previous move.”
About This Quote
Source Game Theory Paper: Tit for Tat Strategy, Anatol Rapoport, 1980
Begin by cooperating, then mirror the opponent’s previous action, promoting reciprocal behavior.
In simple terms: Start cooperative, then copy the other’s last move.
Key Takeaway
Use reciprocity to build trust.
Themes
cooperation
reciprocity
strategy
trust
conflict resolution
Mood
strategic
analytical
Type
theoretical
practical
When to use this quote
- Negotiations
- team projects
- international diplomacy
- online gaming
Key Concepts
Tit for Tat
iterated games
Questions to Reflect On
- When is mirroring ineffective?
- How to break a cycle of retaliation?
A Different Perspective
If the opponent defects repeatedly, mirroring can lead to stalemate.
![“The purpose of formulating [a] conflict as a game is not that of resolving the conflict by 'solving the game.' It is that of displaying the structure of the conflict and thereby exposing features of it that may be concealed by rhetoric. In particular, appreciation of the peculiar structure of some…” quote by Anatol Rapoport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/53f/anatol-rapoport-23399_appreciation_the-purpose-of-formulating-a-conflict-as_911064.jpg)
