Meet at the same place.
Schelling's focal points are salient choices that can coordinate expectations when several outcomes work.
Inside this model
Matching locations pay R to both; different locations pay 0. Expected station payoff is pR and park payoff is (1−p)R. The slider represents an assumed shared cue's effect on beliefs, not a measured psychological law.
Out in the world
A practical use
A familiar landmark, standard file format or common meeting time can become a coordination convention.
A useful lens. Not a universal law.
- No location is inherently focal in the model. Real salience depends on culture, context and shared knowledge.
Associated thinkers
Further reading
Explore the original research or the teaching reference behind this experiment.
Nobel committee — Schelling and coordination ↗