6533b7dcfe1ef96bd1271e2a
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Rational Choice Theory and the Environment: Variants, Applications, and New Trends
Ulf LiebePeter Preisendörfersubject
Management scienceComputer sciencemedia_common.quotation_subject05 social sciencesRational choice theorySocial dilemma010501 environmental sciences01 natural sciencesAction (philosophy)0502 economics and businessHappinessEnvironmental sociology050207 economicsNeuroeconomicsPositive economicsGame theoryMethodological individualism0105 earth and related environmental sciencesmedia_commondescription
Rational choice theory (RCT) is a research paradigm based on methodological individualism. Collective phenomena are explained by assumptions about the behavior of (subjectively) rational individual or corporate actors. In environmental research, RCT is used to predict ecological perceptions, attitudes and behavior on the micro level, and to shed light on environmental outcomes on the macro level. The most fundamental insight from RCT is that environmental problems are often the result of a social dilemma, that is, individuals’ purposive action leads to unintended negative collective consequences. This chapter addresses variants of RCT including game theory, shows applications in the field of environmental sociology on the micro and macro level, and points to new trends in RCT such as neuroeconomics and happiness research which may also be useful for environmental sociology.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-01-01 |