Proper rationalizability in lexicographic beliefs

Proper consistency is defined by the property that each player takes all opponent strategies into account (is cautious) and deems one opponent strategy to be infinitely more likely than another if the opponent prefers the one to the other (respects preferences). When there is common certain belief of proper consistency, a most preferred strategy is properly rationalizable. Any strategy used with positive probability in a proper equilibrium is properly rationalizable. Only strategies that lead to the backward induction outcome are properly rationalizable in the strategic form of a generic perfect information game. Proper rationalizability can test the robustness of inductive procedures.

Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Economics, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1095 Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway (e-mail: g.b.asheim@econ.uio.no), , , , , , NO

   Geir B. Asheim

Final version: December 2001

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