On the role of non-equilibrium focal points as coordination devices

Abstract

Considering a pure coordination game with a large number of equivalent equilibria, we argue that a focal point that is itself not a Nash equilibrium, and is Pareto dominated by all Nash equilibria, may enhance coordination substantially. Besides attracting the players’ choices to itself, such a non-equilibrium focal point may act as an equilibrium selection device that the players use to coordinate on a small subset of Nash equilibria. We present experimental support for these two roles of non-equilibrium focal points as coordination devices, and suggest a theoretical explanation for this.