Threats, promises, and unconditional commitments have already been illustrated; a more general “reaction function” is illustrated in the accompanying matrix. If Row can attach adequate penalties to his own selection of any cells other than those starred, he leaves Column a simple maximization problem which Column solves by choosing his third strategy. Row has “won” almost his favorite cell; specifically, he has secured for himself the most favorable cell among those that leave Column no lower than his “minimax” value. This is the generalization of the tactic that, for simple two-way or three-way choices, can be identified as a “commitment,” “threat,” “promise,” or combination of them.

DEFINE: Introduces the 'reaction function' concept as a generalization of commitment, threat, and promise tactics in game-theoretic strategy.

Thomas C. Schelling, The Strategy of Conflict, loc. 783