Classical Game Theory in Reality TV

Publication Date

2026

Presentation Length

15 minutes

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Math and Computer Science, Department of

Faculty Mentor

Andy Miller

Presentation Type

Talk/Oral

Summary

Classical game theory is a field of mathematics that models conflicts and competitions and is commonly used in the analysis of battle strategy and rivalry between businesses. A subset of classical game theory — matrix games — can effectively model conflicts between pairs of opponents in which each player has a finite number of possible actions, and the action taken by their opponent is directly impacted by their move. In this talk, we analyze several scenarios from popular Reality TV shows through the lens of game theory. We will discuss optimal strategic play for conflicts and common missteps made by players from shows such as Love Island, Big Brother, and Survivor.

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