Hawks & Doves

Evolutionarily stable strategies

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Hawk–dove payoffs: (V − C)/2, V, 0 and V/2.
• When C > V the stable mix has a fraction V/C of hawks.
• An ESS can’t be invaded: deviants do worse.

Steps

1. Fight or share?
2. A costly fight
3. The stable mix
4. Self-correcting
5. Cheap fights
6. Antlers