On the convergence of reinforcement learning

This paper examines the convergence of payoffs and strategies in Erev and Roth’s model of reinforcement learning.When all players use this rule it eliminates iteratively dominated strategies and in two-person constant-sum games average payoffs converge to the value of the game. Strategies converge in constant-sum games with unique equilibria if they are pure or if they are mixed and the game is 2 × 2. The long-run behaviour of the learning rule is governed by equations related to Maynard Smith’s version of the replicator dynamic. Properties of the learning rule against general opponents are also studied. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. JEL classification: C72; D83