Like it or not, we’re all playing.

I recently started a series outlining the Myers Briggs Personality Test and thought it might be cool to write a complementary series of posts for it.

Over the next few weeks we’re going to be talking all about Game Theory and how it relates to personality.

What is Game Theory?

“Game theory” is essentialy the science of social situations, or the study of conflict and cooperation between rational decision makers, and is broken down into two main branches and three sub-branches.

The main branches are:

1. Cooperative Game Theory- Covers cooperative social interaction where those involved work together in order to achieve a shared goal or outcome.

2. Non-Cooperative Game Theory- Covers non-cooperative social interaction where there will be some winners and some losers.

SciShow did a pretty cool video about this using a neat thought experiment:

And beyond the main branches we have:

1. Decision Theory- Covering a single individual against nature, centered around preferences and the formation of beliefs, as well as how to best acquire and utilize information before making a decision.

2. General Equilibrium Theory- Covering trade, production, and decision as it relates to ecenomics, usually dealing with large groups of individuals acting from places of personal interest or as large entities acting as a collective.

3. Mechanism Design Theory- Covering the consequences that manifest as a result of game theory and the decisions made, addressing questions dealing with how best to maintain incentive or maximize the probability of achieving a goal.

Why Should You Care?

Game theory is something we all participate in, all of the time. It can be applied to any interaction, as every interaction is simply a push and pull between the energy and interests of two or more people. The more you understand it, the better you understand communication, and the better you understand communication, the better you can navigate it.

But we’re gonna go a step further then that.

In future segments of this series, we’re going to be covering how best to apply game theory as it applies to the personality roles outlined in the Myers Briggs model.

This way, as we go further into exploring each type, you will start to get a clearer picture of how not only to better utilize game theory as a whole but how to better utilize game theory as it relates to your specific personality.

In case you didn’t check out my series and are unfamiliar with the roles, they look something like this:

1. Analyst Types- Rational, intellectual, and focused. The analysts are strategic and fluid thinkers, focused on what to do and how best to do it, regardless of if it satisfies everybody or not. While they often excel in logical prowess, they tend to lack in social and or personal/romantic endevours.

2. Diplomate Types- Empathetic, intuitive, and imaginative. The diplomats are team players and enthusiastic thinkers, always able to see the upside to any given circumstance. While they often excel in relatability and compassion, they tend to lack rationality or the ability to make difficult decisions.

3. Sentinel Types- Practical, cooperative, and orderly. The Sentinels are hard working and driven, able to bring order to chaos if the situation demands it. While they often excel in determination and stability, they tend to lack open mindedness or the ability to see things from an alternative point of view.

4. Explorer Types- Spontaneous, adventurous, and adaptable. The explorers are quick on their feet and able to make split, accurate decisions under pressure. While they often excel in matters of wit and cleverness, they tend to lack impulse control or the ability to exercise foresight.

If you don’t know what role you fall under, you can take the test here.

I hope you’re looking forward to this as much as I am!

Tell me what role you most identify with for an up vote! : )