A Sociological Approach to the Theory of Rational Choice:

An Introduction to Planned Cultural and Social Changes

Mohammad Reza Javadi Yaganeh

Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Tehran University

In order to offer a necessary introduction to the issue of planned socio-cultural changes, attempts have been made in the present paper to elucidate the theory of rational choice through a sociological approach. Inspired by the instrumental rationality of Max Weber and within the framework of methodological individualism, the rational choice considers the action of those actors rational who among the existing possible choices within the framework of their beliefs and in the light of their consequences choose the option which is the best way to achieve their goals. The most important theories stemming from the rational choice theory are the decision-making theory, game theory, and collective action theory. Also the theories of rational choice are critically discussed in details which include the theories of Max Weber, John Harsanyi, James Colman, Reymond Budden and Jon Elster. Pure rational critics in this field have created a new approach to the theory of rational choice which is called social rationalism or rational-social choice, in which the values, norms and other social aspects have entered the rational action to show rationality in the day-to-day life on its basis and also analyze some of the limitations of rationality (such as limited rationality and cognitional trends).

Keywords: rational choice, social rationality, confined rationality, rational-social choice