Rational Choice Theory

Micro Level Approach

• use the individual level of analysis

• social interactions, why individual/group interact the way they do, and how they interpret the meanings of their own interactions

• analysis of small patterns; focusing on particular aspects of social life

ex: Families, Relationships, Individuals

Macro Level Approach

• social aggregate (collection of people who share physical location) as the level of analysis

• focus on the social structure, social institution, political and economic change

• analysis of large patterns; taking into account the whole picture of the society

• focuses on broader social phenomena

  • whole social structure

  • system and phenomena

• implies that there is a system with intererrelated parts

ex: Nations, Legal Systems, Economics

Rational Choice Theory

• tool in making sense why people act or behave in the way that they do

• when face with several courses of action, people usually do what they believe to have the overall best outcome, Ward 2022

• individuals actions are based on their preferences, beliefs feasible strategies

Three Pillars

• strategies or courses of actions open and available to them

• preferences over the end states to which combinations of actions chosen by the various players lead

• beliefs about important parameters such as others