What concept involves mathematical models to represent complex decision making that accounts for the actions of others?

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Prepare for the MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Game theory is the correct answer because it involves the use of mathematical models to study strategic decision-making among individuals or groups, where the outcome for each participant depends not just on their own actions but also on the actions of others. This theoretical framework is particularly useful in situations where individuals or entities must make decisions that are interdependent, meaning that the best choice for one player will be influenced by the choices of others.

Game theory provides insights into competitive and cooperative scenarios, offering a way to analyze various social, economic, and political interactions. Concepts such as Nash equilibrium, where no player can benefit by changing their strategy while the other players keep theirs unchanged, highlight the essence of decision-making in contexts where multiple parties are involved.

The other concepts listed, such as social facilitation, groupthink, and impression management, do not focus specifically on mathematical modeling or strategic interactions influenced by others’ decisions. Social facilitation refers to the tendency for individuals to perform better on tasks in the presence of others, groupthink pertains to the tendency for cohesive groups to prioritize consensus over critical evaluation, and impression management involves the conscious effort to influence how others perceive an individual. These concepts are more related to social psychology and group dynamics rather than the strategic decision-making processes encapsulated within