Editing Rational choice model (section)

{{Short description|Class of models in the behavioral sciences}}
{{About|a theory of economics|rational choice theory as applied to criminology|Rational choice theory (criminology)|rational choice theory as applied to international relations|Rationalism (international relations)}}
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'''Rational choice modeling''' refers to the use of [[decision theory]] (the theory of rational choice) as a set of guidelines to help understand economic and social behavior.<ref>[[Lawrence E. Blume]] and David Easley (2008). "[Rationality]," ''[[The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics]]'', 2nd Edition.  [http://tuvalu.santafe.edu/~leb/rat03.pdf; http://www.dictionaryofeconomics.com/article?id=pde2008_R000277&q Abstract]{{Dead link|date=March 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}." by  Abstract & [http://www.santafe.edu/~leb/rat03.pdf pre-publication copy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106155848/http://www.santafe.edu/~leb/rat03.pdf |date=2009-11-06 }}.<br/>&nbsp;&nbsp; [[Amartya Sen]] (2008). "Rational Behaviour," ''The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics'', 2nd Edition. [http://www.dictionaryofeconomics.com/article?id=pde2008_R000022&edition=current&q Abstract] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165030/http://www.dictionaryofeconomics.com/article?id=pde2008_R000022&edition=current&q |date=2018-01-11 }}.</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Boudon|first=Raymond|date=August 2003|title=Beyond Rational Choice Theory|url=https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.soc.29.010202.100213|journal=Annual Review of Sociology|language=en|volume=29|issue=1|pages=1–21|doi=10.1146/annurev.soc.29.010202.100213|issn=0360-0572|archive-date=2022-09-21|access-date=2022-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921231619/https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev.soc.29.010202.100213|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The theory tries to approximate, predict, or [[Mathematical model|mathematically model]] human behavior by analyzing the behavior of a [[Rational agent|rational actor]] facing the same [[cost–benefit analysis|costs and benefits]].<ref name=":1">Gary Browning, Abigail Halcli, Frank Webster (2000). ''Understanding Contemporary Society: Theories of the Present'', London: Sage Publications.</ref><ref>Levin, J. and Milgrom, P., 2004. Introduction to choice theory. Available from internet: [https://web.stanford.edu/~jdlevin/Econ%20202/Choice%20Theory.pdf http://web. stanford. edu/~ jdlevin/Econ, 20202]</ref>

Rational choice models are most closely associated with [[economics]], where mathematical analysis of behavior is standard. However, they are widely used throughout the social sciences, and are commonly applied to [[cognitive science]], [[criminology]], [[political science]],<ref>Susanne Lohmann (2008). "Rational Choice and Political Science," ''The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics'', 2nd Edition.[http://www.dictionaryofeconomics.com/article?id=pde2008_R000253&edition=current&q= Abstract] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522051808/http://www.dictionaryofeconomics.com/article?id=pde2008_R000253&edition=current&q= |date=2013-05-22 }}.</ref> and [[sociology]].<ref>[[Peter Hedström (sociologist)|Peter Hedström]] and Charlotta Stern (2008). "Rational Choice and Sociology," ''The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics'', 2nd ed., [http://www.dictionaryofeconomics.com/article?id=pde2008_R000249&edition=current&q=rational%20choice%20and%20sociology&topicid= Abstract.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117064016/http://www.dictionaryofeconomics.com/article?id=pde2008_R000249&edition=current&q=rational%20choice%20and%20sociology&topicid= |date=2017-01-17 }}</ref>