Focal point (game theory)

In game theory, a focal point (or Schelling point) is a solution that people tend to choose by default in the absence of communication in order to avoid coordination failure.^[1] The concept was introduced by the American economist Thomas Schelling in his book The Strategy of Conflict (1960).^[2] Schelling states that "[p]eople can often concert their intentions or expectations with others if each knows that the other is trying to do the same" in a cooperative situation (p. 57), so their action would converge on a focal point which has some kind of prominence compared with the environment. However, the conspicuousness of the focal point depends on time, place and people themselves. It may not be a definite solution.

^ Pastin, Ivan; Pastine, Tuvana; Humberstone, Tom (2017). Game Theory: A Graphic Guide. United Kingdom: Icon Books Inc. pp. 54–61. ISBN 978-1-78578-082-0.
^ Schelling, Thomas C. (1960). The strategy of conflict (First ed.). Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-84031-7.

[:0-1] Pastin, Ivan; Pastine, Tuvana; Humberstone, Tom (2017). Game Theory: A Graphic Guide. United Kingdom: Icon Books Inc. pp. 54–61. ISBN 978-1-78578-082-0.

[isbn0-674-84031-3-2] Schelling, Thomas C. (1960). The strategy of conflict (First ed.). Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 978-0-674-84031-7.

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