Development of Rational Choice Theory in Sociology

本研究旨在：(1)澄清理性选择理论的逻辑；(2)在理性选择理论的框架下构建各种社会现象的数学模型；(3)将理性选择理论与实证研究联系起来；(4)在理性选择理论的基础上重构社会学。我们构建并分析了信任、差异关联、共识形成、社会运动、联盟形成等数学模型。我们推导了一些命题，例如，沟通对信任的影响，以及导致一致同意的评估原则组合的属性。我们特别关注了进化博弈论。本文回顾了理性与进化/学习关系的研究，并从进化博弈论的角度分析了权力和共识形成等社会现象。我们还试图建立理性选择理论与实证研究之间的联系。通过对环境问题、集体行动、社会运动等方面的社会调查或实验数据的分析，探讨了从理性选择角度验证或证伪预测的方法。此外，我们从经验、规范和规范的角度考察了理性选择理论在社会学中的意义，并回应了对理性选择理论的批评。我们的研究成果为从理性选择理论的视角重构社会学提供了基础。

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.