RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY AS A MODEL TO APPLY TO CULTURAL BEHAVIORS

Authors : Yurdagül KILINÇ ADANALI

Pages : 61-83

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Publication Date : 2016-06-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The main task of this study is to challenge certain traditional ideas regarding identity and culture and to bring these themes within the scope of the rational choice theory. To this aim, the study is divided into two sections: first, the rational choice theory is presented as a model by explaining its basic assumptions such as utility maximization and methodological individualism; and second, this model is applied to cultural behaviors to obtain required rational explanations. The application will begin with the common traditional definitions of the concepts of culture and identity, and next, it will demonstrate that culture and identity are subject to cost-benefit calculation just like the issues that we have seen in the rational choice preferences. This research intends to view cultural behaviors as instances of rational choice and analyze these behaviors at the level of the individual. By modelling cultural behaviors as a product of individuals’ rational choice, thus, this paper will offer a new perception concerning the nature of rationality and the freedom of choosing individual identity and culture.
Keywords : Rational Choice Theory, culture, rationality, utility maximization, individuality