Rational Choice Theory

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 critique 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.