Micro-Macro Transitions in Rational Choice Explanations

Abstract: The rational choice approach focuses on explaining macrosocial phenomena or relationships by applying a theory about the behavior of individual actors. This paper addresses James S. Coleman’s account of micro-macro transitions involved in rational choice explanations. The starting point of this account is a macro-relationship. Its independent variable has a causal effect on the independent variable of a micro-relationship. The dependent variable of this relationship in turn influences the dependent variable of the macro-relationship (see Figure 1 of this paper). The paper extends this account by delineating other types of micro-macro explanations and discusses some of its problems.

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Micro-Macro Transitions in Rational Choice Explanations ; volume:14 ; number:2 ; year:1992 ; pages:143-151 ; extent:9 ; Analyse & Kritik ; 14, Heft 2 (1992), 143-151 (gesamt 9)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: Opp, Karl-Dieter

Further information

• DOI: 10.1515/auk-1992-0203
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2404171553170.867713263158
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 14.08.2025, 10:54 AM CEST