Prisoner’s dilemma is a situation developed out of game theory and used by social psychologists in the study of bargaining behaviour. In the game two suspects are caught by the police and questioned separately about the crime. If one prisoner confesses and the other does not the squealer is set free and the fall guy takes the rap. If both confess, both are convicted but dealt with leniency. If neither confesses, both benefit because they cannot then be convicted.
Definition