Barking up the wrong tree

Vendettas occur in many real world settings where rivals compete for a prize, e.g., winning an election or a competitive promotion, by engaging in retaliatory aggressive behavior. We present a benchmark experiment where two players have an initial probability of winning a prize. Retaliatory vendettas occur and lead agents to the worst possible outcomes in 60% to 80% of cases, counter to self interest predictions, and regardless of whether initial winning probabilities are equal or unequal. Negative emotions are important and interact with economic settings to produce large social inefficiencies. Venting emotions predicts aggression but also reduces it.

Source: "Vendettas" from CeDEx Discussion Paper Series, 2/2010

Best mob movies are here and here.

Best mafia TV show.

Great crime books are here, here and here. This book too.

I'm reading this now and it's an AMAZING, accessible blend of crime and economics.

If you're really interested in crime you may want to know how long it takes to dissolve a body and what happens when you get the electric chair.

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