The prisoner's dilemma is a game used by researchers to model and investigate how people decide to cooperate—or not.
What Is Prisoner's Dilemma? (Plain Language Explanation)
Prisoner's Dilemma refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Prisoner's Dilemma
- Symptoms: The specific ways prisoner's dilemma shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen prisoner's dilemma
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When prisoner's dilemma occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Prisoner's Dilemma
- Prisoner's Dilemma is far more common than most people realize
- Prisoner's Dilemma is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with prisoner's dilemma see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about prisoner's dilemma is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing prisoner's dilemma, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.