The Following Payoff Matrix Shows the Outcomes for the US

question 48

Multiple Choice

The following payoff matrix shows the outcomes for the US and the USSR from relying on conventional weapons or atomic weapons.The percentages refer to the fraction of the population that would die if a war occurred under the two weapons strategies.Assume the payoff matrix is for 1945,shortly after the US had demonstrated the effectiveness of the atomic bomb in World War II,i.e. ,the example begins in the upper right cell where USA has atomic weapons and the USSR has only conventional weapons. $\begin{array}{c}\text { USSR }\\\text { USA }\begin{array}{|l|l|l|}\hline &{\text { Atomic Weapona }} & {\text { Conventional }} \\\hline \text { Atomis}& \text { In the USA, } 60 \% \text { would die, } & \text { In the USA S\% would die, } \\ \text { Wespons}&\text { In the USSR, } 60 \% \text { would die } & \text { In the USSR, } 90 \% \text { would die } \\\hline \text { Conventional}&\text { In the USA, } 90 \% \text { would die; } & \text { In the USA } 10 \% \text { would dies } \\&\text { In the USSR, } 5 \% \text { would die } & \text { In the USSR, } 10 \% \text { would die. } \\\hline\end{array}\end{array}$
Refer to the information given above.Suppose that a diplomat representing the USSR made the following statement to a diplomat representing the United States: "We will disarm all of our atomic weapons and not develop any new ones." That statement is:

• A) a credible promise because it would convince the United States to disarm as well.
• B) a credible promise because it contains a commitment device.
• C) a non-credible promise because mutual disarmament yields a worse outcome for both countries.
• D) a non-credible promise because of the commitment problem.

---

Definitions:

Genetic Makeup

The unique set of genes that comprises an organism's genome.

Cultural Variables

Elements that vary from one culture to another, influencing behavior, traditions, and perceptions.

Depersonalization

A mental state where individuals feel detached from their body or self, often described as feeling like an outsider observing one's life.

Evolved Predispositions

refers to inherent tendencies or traits that have developed over time through evolutionary processes to enhance survival and reproductive success.