Rational Choice Theory: Resisting Colonization - Softcover

Jonathan Q. Tritter; Margaret S. Archer; Peter Wagner; Simon J. Williams; Justin Cruickshank; Kay Peggs; Richard Lampard; Andrew Parker; Ian Procter; Carol Wolkowitz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 041524272X ISBN 13: 9780415242721

Publisher: Routledge, 2000

Synopsis

Rational Choice Theory is flourishing in sociology and is increasingly influential in other disciplines. Contributors to this volume are convinced that it provides an inadequate conceptualization of all aspects of decision making: of the individuals who make the decisions, of the process by which decisions get made and of the context within which decisions get made.
The ciritique focuses on the four assumptions which are the bedrock of rational choice:
rationality: the theory's definition of rationality is incomplete, and cannot satisfactorily incorporate norms and emotions
individualism: rational choice is based upon atomistic, individual decision makers and cannot account for decisions made by ;couples', 'groups' or other forms of collective action
process: the assumption of fixed, well-ordered preferences and 'perfect information' makes the theory inadequate for situations of change and uncertainty
aggregation: as methodological individualists, rational choice theorists can only view structure and culture as aggregates and cannot incorporate structural or cultural influences as emergent properties which have an effect upon decision making.
The critique is grounded in discussion of a wide range of social issues, including race, marriage, health and education.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 041524272X
• ISBN 13: 9780415242721
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 257