A discussion of rational choice theory

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A discussion of rational choice theory

Rational Choice Theory is perhaps one of the best known methodological approaches to the explanation of individual action. In this essay I hope to outline Rational Choice Theory and discuss certain areas of weakness in this theory, where its explanatory powers arguably breakdown and expand on the theory's formulation. Individuals are a unit of analysis at which to study society, but it should be remembered that society is not just made up of a large number of individuals, but contains groups and organisations and so any general sociological theory should be able to explain how such social structures come into being and how they are maintained. I shall attempt to evaluate rational choice theory, concluding that it should not 'retreat to the banal claim that people have reasons for what they do'.

Rational choice theory is based on the idea that individuals act for a particular purpose, that is to maximise their utility. In its simplest form rational choice theory states that given a number of options people do what they believe is likely to have the best overall outcome. This concern with outcome is same as Weber's concept of 'zweckrational' action, where