Week 3 discussion theories in nursing
The phenomenon of concern in Rational Choice Theory is human decision making based on cost/benefit analysis. This theory assumes that humans are rational actors who make decisions based on the perceived consequences rather than emotions or desires, and that individuals strive to maximize their own benefit while minimizing costs. It also assumes that all actions can be broken down into a series of smaller choices, and that these choices can be evaluated for potential benefits and costs.
Rational Choice Theory is based on a few key assumptions. First, it assumes that people are rational actors who seek to maximize their own self-interests when making decisions. Second, it assumes that people have perfect information about all possible outcomes before they make any decision, as well as full knowledge of the associated costs and benefits involved in each potential choice. Third, it assumes that individual preferences remain constant over time and across different contexts. Finally, it presumes an underlying stability in the environment so that people’s past experiences can be used to predict future behavior more accurately.
In summary, Rational Choice Theory argues that human behavior should be explained by rational economic principles: Individuals make decisions with an eye toward maximizing benefits while minimizing costs; they act upon perfect knowledge; their preferences remain static; and they assume a stable environment in which they will operate consistently over time.