Rational Choice Theory in Sociology: description
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Prof. Norman Braun, Department of Sociology, LMU - Prof. Jochen Gross, Department of Sociology, LMU
Rational Choice Theory (RCT) has become a general theoretical approach in sociology. Recent progress in economics and game theory has triggered the theoretical development of RCT. The seminar will be concerned with important new ideas,
concepts and questions of theory building. In addition, the seminar will illustrate empirical applications which cover very broad areas in sociology: marriage and divorce, fertility, consumer behavior, education, labor market processes, exchange in social networks or political decisions. A special focus will be directed at ‘anomalies’ of rational behavior. Again, we intend to cooperate with Prof. Andreas Diekmann from Swiss Federal Institute (ETH) of Zurich (Switzerland) who is a leading scholar in empirical research based on RCT. Also we will cooperate with Prof. Thomas Hinz from University of Konstanz, an accounted expert in empirical applications especially concerning research in entrepreneurship, education and labor market processes.
Furthermore, Prof. Voss from University of Leipzig and Prof. Raub from University of Utrecht will probably contribute to our seminar. Both are outstanding researchers concerning model building in game theory and their experimental testing.
Reading List
Becker, G./Murphy, K. (2000): Social Economics. Market Behavior in a Social
Environment. Cambridge (MA): Harvard University Press. (req)
Blossfeld, H.-P./Prein, G. (1998) (eds.): Rational Choice Theory and Large-Scale Data
Analysis. Boulder (CO): Westview. (req)
Boudon, R. (2003): Beyond Rational Choice Sociology. Annual Review of Sociology
29: 1-21. (req)
Elster, J. (1989): The Cement of Society. Cambridge: University Press.
Fehr, E./Schmidt, K. (1999): A theory of fairness, competition and cooperation.
Quartely Journal of Economics 11: 817-868.
Gintis, H. (2000): Game Theory Evolving. A Problem-Centered Introduction to
Modelling Strategic Interaction. Princeton: Princeton University Press. (req)
Green, D./Shapiro, A. (1996): Pathologies of Rational Choice Theory. A Critique of
Application in Political Science. Yale: University Press. (req)
Hechter, M./Kanazawa S. (1997): Sociological Rational Choice Theory. Annual
Review of Sociology 23. (req).
Petersen, T. (1994): On the Promise of Game Theory in Sociology, in: Contemporary
Sociology (23): 498-502. (req)
Rapoport, A. (2004): What is Rationality. In: Diekmann, A./Voss, Th. (eds.): Rational-
Choice-Theorie in den Sozialwissenschaften. München: Oldenbourg. 33-59 (req)
concepts and questions of theory building. In addition, the seminar will illustrate empirical applications which cover very broad areas in sociology: marriage and divorce, fertility, consumer behavior, education, labor market processes, exchange in social networks or political decisions. A special focus will be directed at ‘anomalies’ of rational behavior. Again, we intend to cooperate with Prof. Andreas Diekmann from Swiss Federal Institute (ETH) of Zurich (Switzerland) who is a leading scholar in empirical research based on RCT. Also we will cooperate with Prof. Thomas Hinz from University of Konstanz, an accounted expert in empirical applications especially concerning research in entrepreneurship, education and labor market processes.
Furthermore, Prof. Voss from University of Leipzig and Prof. Raub from University of Utrecht will probably contribute to our seminar. Both are outstanding researchers concerning model building in game theory and their experimental testing.
Reading List
Becker, G./Murphy, K. (2000): Social Economics. Market Behavior in a Social
Environment. Cambridge (MA): Harvard University Press. (req)
Blossfeld, H.-P./Prein, G. (1998) (eds.): Rational Choice Theory and Large-Scale Data
Analysis. Boulder (CO): Westview. (req)
Boudon, R. (2003): Beyond Rational Choice Sociology. Annual Review of Sociology
29: 1-21. (req)
Elster, J. (1989): The Cement of Society. Cambridge: University Press.
Fehr, E./Schmidt, K. (1999): A theory of fairness, competition and cooperation.
Quartely Journal of Economics 11: 817-868.
Gintis, H. (2000): Game Theory Evolving. A Problem-Centered Introduction to
Modelling Strategic Interaction. Princeton: Princeton University Press. (req)
Green, D./Shapiro, A. (1996): Pathologies of Rational Choice Theory. A Critique of
Application in Political Science. Yale: University Press. (req)
Hechter, M./Kanazawa S. (1997): Sociological Rational Choice Theory. Annual
Review of Sociology 23. (req).
Petersen, T. (1994): On the Promise of Game Theory in Sociology, in: Contemporary
Sociology (23): 498-502. (req)
Rapoport, A. (2004): What is Rationality. In: Diekmann, A./Voss, Th. (eds.): Rational-
Choice-Theorie in den Sozialwissenschaften. München: Oldenbourg. 33-59 (req)
