Original scientific paper
Place under the Sun: Models of Actor and the Refraction of Rationality
Koraljka Marinković
; Unemployed Sociologist
Aleksandar Štulhofer
; Department of Sociology, Faculty of Philosophy, Zagreb
Abstract
In this paper we are trying to tes two classical models of actor: 1) the model of »homo economicus«, which views the individual behavior as stemming from a purely rational, cost-benefit calculation; and 2) the model of »homo sociologicus«, which emphasizes norm-oriented behavior. In order to measure the applicability of those two analytical constructions we start from a continuum of social action — its poles being the optimizing (here defined as the norm obedience) and the maximizing behavior. The data obtained through an experiment in which 110 female and 110 male university students were asked to solve a strategical problem of selling ice-cream on the beach. To be albe to test our hypotheses, we varied the intensity of social pressure. Our results point out the importance of the third model, closely resembling H. Simon’s concept of »bounded rationality« and the theory of »reasoned action«. The core of the model is the notion of refraction of rationality, i.e. Ego’s ability to avoid (or soften) Alter’s norms via »strategis behavior«. We argue, therefore, for a more detailed sociological analysis of the »adaptive egoist« model.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
154914
URI
Publication date:
30.6.1993.
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