Paranoia, Homosexuality and Game Theory

Abstract

A neglected area of sociological investigation is the study of the quality of consciousness of individuals with deviant identities. A suggested framework for such investigations is the game model in its simple social-psychological form. A game model may be employed for analysis in situations where at least one of the interactants is aware that, in realizing his aims, he must take into account the others' expectations of him, and the others' expectations of what he expects of them. This condition is fulfilled when individuals are placed in situations where they must suspend trust in taken-for-granted realities. The quality of consciousness of individuals placed in such abnormal situations has behavioral correlates that clinically resemble paranoia. Passing homosexuals, too, operate with a game-like orientation, suggesting the behavioral similarities between homosexuality and paranoia.