RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY rational choice theory is a way of understanding how people make

decisions by assuming that they try to maximize their own self-interest. In simpler terms, it means that
people typically make choices that they believe will benefit them the most, based on their preferences and
the information available to them. It's like saying people usually make decisions that make the most sense
for them personally.

ALFRED SCHUTZ (1899-1959) was an Austrian philosopher and sociologist known for his significant
contributions to the fields of phenomenology and the philosophy of social science. He is particularly
renowned for his work on how individuals experience and understand the social world. Schutz was a
thinker who studied how people think and make sense of their social interactions and the world around
them. His ideas have had a significant impact on sociology and philosophy, helping us better understand
human behavior and the way we perceive and interpret the social reality.

Behaviorist Psychology: This is the idea that people's actions are influenced by rewards and
punishments. In rational choice theory, people also make choices based on what they think will benefit
them, so it's kind of like behaviorist psychology in that sense.

BEHAVIORIST PSYCHOLOGY behaviorist psychology is a way of studying and understanding people's

behavior by focusing on what they do, rather than what they think or feel. It's like looking at actions and
reactions to learn how individuals learn, develop habits, and respond to their environment. Behaviorists
believe that behavior is influenced by experiences, rewards, and punishments, and they often use
experiments to observe and analyze these behaviors.

Utilitarianism: This is the idea that people try to make choices that will bring them the most overall
happiness or satisfaction. Rational choice theory is similar because it assumes that people make
decisions to get the most benefits or satisfaction.

UTILITARIANISM is a way of thinking about what's right or wrong based on the idea of creating the
greatest overall happiness or pleasure for the most people. In simpler terms, it's like trying to make
decisions that will result in the most happiness for the largest number of individuals, with the aim of
maximizing overall well-being.

Exchange Theory: This is the concept that people exchange or trade things with each other to get
what they want. Rational choice theory is related because it also looks at how people make
choices to get what they want, like trading time for money by hiring someone to do housework.

EXCHANGE THEORY is a social theory that simplifies human interactions by viewing them as
exchanges, like transactions in a marketplace. In simpler terms, it suggests that people engage with each
other based on the expectation of receiving something valuable in return. It's a bit like the idea of "you
scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours." People often make decisions and form relationships by
considering the potential benefits and costs they anticipate from those interactions.

RATIONAL ACTION means that people make choices based on careful and logical thinking. In simpler
terms, it's about thinking things through before making a decision. This thinking can involve considering
the pros and cons, personal values, and what will best achieve one's goals. It's a way of making decisions
that's thought-out and not impulsive (considering various factor and carefully weighing options before
deciding on a course of action.)

RATIONAL CHOICE THEORISTS primarily emphasize that individuals make decisions with the primary
aim of benefiting themselves. Their choices are often driven by self-interest and the pursuit of what they
perceive as the most advantageous outcomes.

POSITIVIST APPROACH is like looking at the facts and evidence to understand things. It's a way of
studying and explaining stuff based on what you can see, measure, or prove with data, rather than using
opinions or personal feelings. So, it's about relying on concrete, observable information to understand the
world.

PRAGMATISM is like a way of thinking that's all about being practical. It says that we should focus on
ideas and actions that actually work and help us in real life. It's a bit like saying, "Don't just talk about it, do
it!" Instead of just having theories or big thoughts, pragmatism is about making sure what we think or do is
useful and makes our lives better. So, if something helps us solve problems or achieve our goals, it's
considered valuable in the world of pragmatism.

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM is like a way to understand how people communicate and interact with
each other. It's all about the symbols, which can be things like words, gestures, or even facial
expressions, that we use to talk and understand each other. This theory says that we give meaning to
these symbols, and that meaning affects how we act and react. For example, if someone gives you a
thumbs-up, you know it means they like something. Symbolic interactionism helps us see how these small
interactions and symbols build our relationships and help us understand the world around us. It's like a
secret code for how people communicate!

INTERPRETIVE APPROACH is like a way of looking at things that focuses on understanding the
meaning and significance behind them. It's not just about gathering facts and numbers but paying
attention to why and how something is meaningful to people. It's a bit like trying to figure out the "why"
and "how" behind things, like why people do what they do or how they see and interpret the world. This
approach helps us understand the deeper reasons and significance behind actions, behaviors, and the
way people communicate.

NON-POSITIVIST CAUSAL means looking at why things happen in a way that isn't just about
straightforward, clear causes. It's like understanding that there can be many different reasons for
something to occur, and it's not as simple as saying, "This caused that." It's like solving a puzzle with lots
of pieces that fit together in a more complex way.

ETHNOMETHODOLOGY AND STRUCTURATION THEORY are like detective tools that help us see that
people follow rules, but these rules are often hidden or not really talked about. It's a bit like when you play
a game with friends, and you all know the rules, but you don't always say them out loud. These theories
help us understand that in our everyday lives, we follow these unspoken rules to know how to behave and
interact with others. So, it's about noticing that there are rules we all follow, even if we don't always talk
about them.

CAUSAL EXPLANATION is like finding out why something happens. It's understanding the reasons or
causes behind an event or action. It's a bit like asking, "Why did this happen?" and then trying to figure
out the answer. So, it's about understanding the why and how of things.

INDIVIDUALISM is like looking at society through the lens of individual people. It's about understanding
how each person's actions and what things mean to them contribute to our understanding of society. So,
it's like studying how each piece of a puzzle (each person) fits into the big picture (society).

Historical and interpretive approaches are like tools that help us understand how things change in
societies over time. They're a bit like looking at a time machine to see how and why societies evolve. So,
these approaches help us figure out the "how" and "why" behind changes in social systems.

HISTORICAL APPROACH: This is like looking at the past to understand how things have changed. Just
like reading a story from the beginning to the end to see how the plot unfolds, we study events and
developments in the past to figure out why and how societies have changed.

INTERPRETIVE APPROACH: This is like trying to understand the thoughts and feelings of people in the
past. We try to put ourselves in their shoes and see the world from their perspective. This helps us make
sense of why they acted the way they did and how it influenced social change.
HOLISM is the idea that things are interconnected and cannot be fully understood by looking at their
individual parts in isolation. In simpler terms, it means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
When you study holistically, you consider how different parts or elements work together to create a bigger
picture or a more complete understanding of a system or situation, rather than just focusing on individual
pieces. It's like looking at a puzzle and understanding that each piece contributes to the overall image.

FUNCTIONAL EXPLANATION is a way of understanding why something exists or happens by looking at

the purpose it serves or the role it plays. In simpler terms, it's like asking, "What job does this thing do?"
or "Why is it here, and what does it accomplish?" Functional explanations focus on the intended or
practical function of something to help make sense of its existence or behavior.

CONDITION OF EXISTENCE refers to the factors or requirements that must be met for something to
exist or be possible. It can be the necessary circumstances, elements, or prerequisites that allow
something to come into being or continue to exist

INSTRUMENTAL RATIONALITY refers to the idea that people make choices and take actions with the
goal of achieving specific, practical benefits or outcomes. it's like when you decide to study hard for a test
because you want to get a good grade – you're using instrumental rationality to achieve your goal. it's
about making logical, goal- oriented decisions to get what you want.

CONTEXTUAL RATIONALITY refers to the idea that what is considered rational or reasonable can vary
depending on the specific situation or context. In simpler terms, it means that what makes sense or is a
sensible decision can change based on the circumstances.

For example, consider the decision to wear a heavy winter coat. In the context of a cold winter day, it's
rational to wear the coat because it keeps you warm. However, if you were to wear the same coat on a
scorching hot summer day, it would seem irrational because it doesn't suit the context. Contextual
rationality acknowledges that what is considered a rational or reasonable choice depends on the specific
conditions and environment in which the decision is made.

WEBERIAN SOCIOLOGY, based on the ideas of German sociologist Max Weber, is a way of studying
society that focuses on understanding how people's beliefs, values, and social institutions influence their
behavior and the way societies are organized. In simpler terms, it looks at how people's thoughts and the
systems they create shape the way they interact with each other and the world around them. Weberian
sociology examines the connections between culture, religion, economics, and politics to explain social
phenomena and how they affect individuals and communities.