FISH: a commons dilemma simulation

Abstract

A local-area-network-based commons dilemma (CD) simulation is described. The program usesfishing as its CD metaphor; research participants experience the metaphor through both graphics (fish may be seen in an ocean) and text (CD terms such as “resource regeneration” are translated to fishing terms such as “spawning”). Common CD parameters, such as the availability of the resource, payoff values, the number of harvesters, the rate of regeneration, knowledge about the state of the resource, and awareness of other harvesters’ actions may be varied Other CD parameters that are not yet widely studied may also be varied, such as variability in regeneration rate, uncertainty in the amount of the resource, operating costs necessary to harvest the resource, length of time for the resource to regenerate (spawn), and whether the resource is visible to harvesters. The program worked well in pilot testing and in a study in progress.