The Chicken Game

The Chicken Game is a strategic scenario where two players face a potential conflict by choosing to either cooperate or escalate. If both cooperate, they avoid disaster and share benefits. If one escalates while the other cooperates, the escalator gains advantage while the other suffers. However, if both escalate, it leads to a mutual harmful conflict, like a standoff. The game illustrates how individuals or groups might risk conflict to avoid being perceived as weak, emphasizing the importance of strategy, risk assessment, and the potential consequences of escalation in competitive situations.