Is Rational Choice Theory Rational?

Introduction

Theory of rationality of humans originated from the economics field of our society . Adam Smith , eighteenth century economist , is credited as been the first scholar to introduce the notion of rationality of human beings in economic behavior . This was explained in his writing wealth of nations , which was published in 1776 . Adam was of the view that humans acted rationally when it came into making economic choices Economic choices that are referred to by Adam here are those that involve the exchange of goods and services for profit . Humans are

calculative when it came to these choices because they will try to maximize profits while at the same time minimizing or avoiding losses or pains

However , sociologists took this theory and adapted it into human behavior in the social context , rather than the economic context . In economics , what is exchanged are goods and services for monetary or other forms of profits . But when it comes to the social context , what are exchanged are social actions , and profits are in forms of social approval or recognition . This means that humans will engage in social actions in to gain recognition , approval , respect and other forms of social capital . Rationality comes in when the social actor tries to maximize the profits ' gained and reduce or avoid losses ' or pains Humans will engage in behaviors that will maximize gains and reduce costs . The choice of these actions is rational and is made deliberately For instance , a person will try to avoid committing...