Development of Rational Choice Theory in Sociology

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This research aimed at (1) clarifying the logic of rational choice theory, (2) constructing mathematical models of various social phenomena in terms of rational choice theory, (3) linking rational choice theory to empirical studies, and (4) reconstructing sociology on the basis of rational choice theory.We constructed and analyzed mathematical models of trust, differential association, consensus formation, social movement, coalition formation, etc. We deduced propositions concerning, for example, effects of communication on trust, and properties of the combination of evaluation principles that leads to unanimous agreement.We paid special attention to evolutionary game theory. We reviewed studies on relationship between rationality and evolution/learning, and analyzed social phenomena such as power and consensus formation in terms of the evolutionary game theory.We also tried to establish the link between rational choice theory and empirical studies. We consider the way to verify or falsify the predictions from the rational choice perspective by analyzing data from social surveys or experiments concerning environmental problems, collective action, social movement, etc.Moreover, we examined the significance of rational choice theory in sociology from empirical, normative, and prescriptive perspectives, and replied to the criticism of rational choice theory.The results of our research provide the base for reconstructing sociology from the perspective of rational choice theory.