This paper proposes a learning-efficiency explanation of modular structure in language. An optimal grammar arises as the solution to the problem of learning a language from a minimal number of observations of instances of the use of the language. Agents face symmetry constraints that limit their...

This paper looks at simple games with one round of pre-play communication followed by a simultaneous move, complete information game. In these games the {\em curb} concept distinguishes among efficient equilibria according to their risk. The paper contains two major results. First, if only one...

The paper formalizes Warner's (1965) randomized response technique (RRT) as a game and implements it experimentally, thus linking game theoretic approaches to randomness in communication with survey practice in the field and a novel implementation in the lab. As predicted by our model and in...