APPLICATION OF GAME THEORY IN PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELING FOR PERSONAL DECISION-MAKING

Abstract

The article explores the theoretical and methodological foundations of integrating game theory into psychological counseling as a tool for supporting the process of personal decision-making. The origins of the use of game modeling in psychology are associated with three interrelated stages: the formation of the classical theory of rational choice (J. von Neumann, O. Morgenstern), the development of concepts of bounded rationality and cognitive biases (H. Simon, D. Kahneman, A. Tversky), and the transition to a psychological understanding of strategic interaction in an interpersonal context. The concept of “psychological game” in E. Berne’s transactional analysis is highlighted as a prerequisite for the use of game models in counseling practice. It is shown that motivation, expectations and trust are key internal variables of the “game” in the client’s decision-making process. The main directions of using game theory in modern psychology are analyzed – from experimental (trust games, ultimatum games, social dilemmas) to cognitive and clinical, where game scenarios help to model situations of choice, conflict or cooperation. Special attention is paid to modern research approaches, in particular the use of neuropsychological methods to study the brain mechanisms of strategic thinking, the development of behavioral game theory, as well as the spread of computer simulations in the training of consultants and psychological practice. The main scientific gaps are identified: the lack of adapted models for individual decisionmaking, insufficient integration of mathematical formalism and phenomenological methods, as well as the limited empirical research on the effectiveness of game strategies in real consulting conditions. The need to develop hybrid models that combine the accuracy of game theory with the depth of psychological analysis is emphasized.