ISBN:
9780203133897
Language:
English
Pages:
1 Online-Ressource (270 pages)
Edition:
1st ed
Parallel Title:
Print version Archer, Margaret S Rational Choice Theory : Resisting Colonisation
DDC:
301.01
Keywords:
Rational choice theory
Abstract:
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
Abstract:
Preliminaries -- Contents -- 1 Introduction -- 2 The bird in hand rational choice the default mode of social theorizing -- 3 Homo economicus Homo sociologicus and Homo sentiens -- 4 Is rational choice theory unreasonable The neglected emotions -- 5 Social theory and the underclass social realism or rational choice individualism -- 6 (Ir)rational choice -- 7 Switching allegiances decisions by schools to opt out to self management -- 8 Rational choice or Hobson's choice Intention and constraint in UK higher education -- 9 I do a theoretical critique of Becker's rational choice approach to marriage decisions -- 10 Decision making as a process over time the careers of home located cultural workers -- 11 The decision to commit a crime against humanity -- 12 Race ethnicity and housing decisions rational choice theory and the choice constraints debate -- 13 When the battle's lost and won -- Bibliography -- Name Index -- Subject Index
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