One psychological theory that has been proven time and again is the Tit for Tat game theory.
What is the Tit for Tat theory?
This is where, in a two-person game, when a player works out a way of cheating – the other will likely retaliate with a copycat move.
What’s particularly interesting about the theory is that it doesn’t just work with cheating – it works with co-operation and with kindness too…
So that is certainly something to think about.
It’s all about breaking the cycle!
Perhaps there is a situation or regular event that occurs in your life that you can’t seem to break out of?
Maybe trying a change of tact or strategy is the key?
Perhaps look at the situation from a different perspective and try a different strategy to try and start a new spirit of co-operation?
Maybe you could introduce a new, more positive cycle?
This is one aspect of Counselling, particularly Relationship Counselling, that is important to discuss.
If you are caught in a game of Tit for Tat we can look at strategies to help you break the cycle and not fall back into that potentially destructive cycle.
Either way, I think you can see that once you are in the Tit for Tat cycle, things can be changed, either for the good or the bad.
You can check out more info on Tit for Tat and the Evolution of Trust in this article.
