New Perspectives in Economic Sociology: Rational Choice and Emotional Choice

Author: Liu Shaojie
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: This book conducts extensive research on choice behavior from the perspective of economic sociology, ranging from general theories to empirical facts. It not only examines the academic evolution and theoretical essence of rational choice studies in sociology and economics but also proposes the concept of "emotional choice" based on an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of rational choice research. The author argues that under many constraints, people's choice behavior is not only a limited rational choice but often remains at the level of emotion, leading to choice behavior dominated by emotional awareness. Particularly in an ethic-based Chinese society, factors such as symbolism, imitation, conformity, and habit play a more prominent role in choice behavior, making emotional choice even more widespread in circle societies, acquaintance societies, and ritual societies. With highly generalized theoretical elaboration and in-depth empirical research, the author provides readers with a theoretical perspective that moves from the abstract to the concrete. Centered on choice behavior, the book discusses multiple aspects such as social transformation, institutional change, human capital, social capital, social reconstruction, social rationalization, and regional development strategies. It offers valuable insights for both in-depth academic and empirical research.