| name | game-theory-tit-for-tat |
| description | Use Tit for Tat to manage repeated interactions with reciprocity, cooperation, and boundaries. Use when navigating workplace dynamics, partnerships, negotiations, conflicts, vendor relationships, or product systems with reciprocal behavior; avoid for one-shot decisions or zero-sum framing. |
Tit for Tat
Cooperate first.
Then mirror their last move.
Forgive when cooperation returns.
When to use
- Repeated interaction.
- Workplace conflict.
- Partnership or negotiation.
- Trust system design.
- Ongoing reciprocal relationship.
Do not use
- One-shot interaction.
- Severe abuse or safety issue.
- Hidden actions where response cannot be observed.
- Situation where retaliation would be unethical or illegal.
Goal
- Encourage mutual cooperation.
- Avoid exploitation.
- Keep response clear and proportionate.
- Recover quickly after cooperation returns.
Rules
- Be nice: never defect first.
- Be clear: make actions easy to understand.
- Be retaliatory: respond to defection once.
- Be forgiving: return to cooperation immediately after they do.
- Handle noise: clarify ambiguous actions before responding.
- Set exit boundary for repeated defection.
Flow
- Confirm interaction repeats.
- Identify their last move.
- Check if defection was intentional or noise.
- Choose cooperate, clarify, retaliate once, or exit.
- Communicate response and recovery path.
Decision guide
- New relationship: cooperate.
- They cooperated: cooperate.
- They defected clearly: defect once, proportionately.
- Intent unclear: ask before retaliating.
- They return to cooperation: forgive.
- Defection repeats: keep boundary or disengage.
Variants
- Generous TFT: forgive occasional defection in noisy environments.
- Tit for Two Tats: retaliate after two defections.
- Gradual TFT: escalate response for repeat offenders.
Resources
Output
## Tit for Tat Analysis
Situation: [brief]
## Assessment
- Repeated interaction: [yes/no]
- History: [cooperative/mixed/adversarial]
- Their last move: [cooperate/defect/unclear]
- Noise risk: [low/medium/high]
## Recommendation
- Action: [cooperate/clarify/retaliate once/exit]
- Reason: [TFT rule]
## Message
- [clear communication]
## Exit Condition
- [when to stop engaging]
