Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

stag-hunt

noun

/stæg hʌnt/

Definition

A stag-hunt is a type of social dilemma in game theory where individuals must decide between cooperation and individual gain, often illustrated by the metaphor of hunting a stag together versus chasing a hare alone.

Examples

In a business scenario, companies face a stag-hunt situation when deciding whether to invest in joint projects or to compete against each other.
The stag-hunt model helps explain how cooperation can lead to higher rewards, such as when players work together to achieve a common objective.

Meaning

The term embodies a situation where cooperation leads to a better outcome for all participants, yet individual incentives may push individuals to act in their own interest, potentially undermining collective success.