Chapter 3 Flashcards
What are the 4 types of research in the social sciences ?
Micro level (individual) & Macro level (society)
Explaining:
Rational choice theory (micro) & Systems theory (macro)
Understanding:
interpretation of reasons (actors) (micro)
& social meanings theory (norms and rules ) (marco)
Methodological individualism
Individuals determine how society works
Based on ontological individualism (no surpra individual entities exist, I.e. organization, nation), only individuals and their individual actions exist
Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics is the art of interpretation, the art of understanding meanings. It tries to unveil meaningful explanations for a phenomenon by understanding underlying meanings.
Rational Choice Theory
Rational choice theory applies methodological individualism (taking behavior of individual as a starting point in analyzing a phenomena)
Rational choice theory considers society to be a cooperation of individuals who work together because it’s the best way for them to fulfil their goals.
Rational choice theory claims that in the long run preferring a particular patters of behavior (i.e. cooperating, being trustworthy) is profitable t other patters (misusing the credulity of others, breaking promises, etc)
Rational choice theory doesnt assume that people are egoists, but that people strive to have their preferences satisfied (not necessarily egoistic)
What are the 3 underlying assumptions of assuming that all individuals are perfectly rational beings?
- people’s preferences are ordered according to priority
- Individuals do have all information about all options and results
- They are capable of calculating the best mix of results.
What is the Game Theory?
Game theory is an application of the rational choice theory where multiple agents are involved. It’s purpose is to model and analyze people’s interactions. It analyzes situations where the choices are interdependent.
Strategic rationality
You anticipate other’s choices as best as you can
What is Nash equilibriums?
A combination of choices of which no choice can be changed to the benefit of any one of the players without hurting another player
I.e confess - confess in the prisoners dilemma
Hobbels conflict model
Hobbes ideas assume a conflict model:
people’s interests may coincide which makes them willing to cooperate in their mutual interest but when able to benefit at the cost of others, people will seize the opportunity to do so.
What is the limitation of the rational choice theory?
On one hand it examines human behavior from the spectator’s perspective, but on the other hand it draws all kind of conclusions about what people prefer from their first person perspective. It regards all agents as similar but people have different reasons, preferences and priorities. We dont always do what we prefer, we have many other reasons to do things. Some “preferences” might have more weight without being more satisfactory and also many things we find important not just because of their “benefit”. (i.e. “friendship” - we love our friends because they are great, not because we want to get the benefits of friendship).
What is behaviorist conception of preference?
Subjects choose what they prefer and their choices reveal their preferences
What is mentalist conception of preference?
Subjects prefer what they find most agreeable and what gives them most pleasure.
What is a supra individual entity?
Collectives, organizations, nations
What is Pareto optimal results?
Combination of choices in which none of the players can benefit from changing their choice without harming at least one of the other players.
