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Essays on Rational Choice Theory

The importance of writing an essay on rational choice theory.

Writing an essay on rational choice theory is important because it allows for a deeper understanding of the principles and concepts behind this influential framework in social sciences. Rational choice theory is a key concept in economics, sociology, political science, and other disciplines, and understanding its implications and applications is crucial for students and scholars in these fields.

When writing an essay on rational choice theory, it is important to first understand the basic principles of the theory. This includes the idea that individuals make decisions based on rational calculations of costs and benefits, and that these decisions can be applied to a wide range of social phenomena. It is also important to explore the criticisms and limitations of rational choice theory, as well as its potential contributions to our understanding of human behavior and society.

One writing tip for an essay on rational choice theory is to provide clear and concise definitions of key terms and concepts. This will help readers who may not be familiar with the theory to understand the arguments and analysis presented in the essay. Additionally, it is important to provide examples and case studies that illustrate the application of rational choice theory in different contexts, such as in economic decision-making, political behavior, and social interactions.

Another writing tip is to engage with the existing scholarship on rational choice theory. This includes reviewing and citing relevant academic sources, such as books, journal articles, and research papers. By situating the essay within the broader scholarly conversation on rational choice theory, the writer can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic and contribute to the ongoing discourse in the field.

Writing an essay on rational choice theory is important for gaining a deeper understanding of this influential framework in social sciences. By providing clear definitions, examples, and engaging with existing scholarship, the writer can create a compelling and informative essay on this important topic.

• The role of rational choice theory in understanding human decision-making processes
• The application of rational choice theory in economics
• Rational choice theory and public policy
• Rational choice theory and criminal behavior
• The limitations of rational choice theory
• Rational choice theory and social exchange theory
• Rational choice theory and political behavior
• Rational choice theory and organizational behavior
• Rational choice theory and environmental decision-making
• Rational choice theory and international relations

Rational choice theory is a framework for understanding human decision-making processes in which individuals make choices that maximize their own self-interest. This theory has been widely used in various fields such as economics, political science, sociology, and psychology to explain how individuals make decisions in different situations. In this essay, we will explore the role of rational choice theory in understanding human decision-making processes and its implications for various fields.

Rational choice theory has been widely used in economics to explain how individuals make decisions in the marketplace. This theory suggests that individuals make choices that maximize their utility, given their preferences and constraints. In this essay, we will discuss the application of rational choice theory in economics and its implications for understanding consumer behavior, market dynamics, and public policy.

Rational choice theory has been used to analyze public policy decisions and the behavior of public officials. This theory suggests that individuals, including politicians, bureaucrats, and voters, make decisions that maximize their own self-interest. In this essay, we will explore the role of rational choice theory in understanding public policy decisions and its implications for policy analysis and implementation.

Rational choice theory has been used to explain criminal behavior and the decision-making processes of offenders. This theory suggests that individuals engage in criminal activities when the benefits outweigh the costs. In this essay, we will discuss the application of rational choice theory in understanding criminal behavior and its implications for crime prevention and criminal justice policies.

While rational choice theory has been widely used to understand human decision-making processes, it has also been criticized for its limitations. In this essay, we will explore the limitations of rational choice theory, including its assumptions about human behavior, its inability to account for emotions and social norms, and its implications for understanding complex decision-making processes.

Rational choice theory is closely related to social exchange theory, which focuses on the costs and benefits of social interactions. In this essay, we will compare and contrast rational choice theory and social exchange theory, and discuss their implications for understanding interpersonal relationships, social networks, and organizational behavior.

Rational choice theory has been used to analyze political behavior, including voting, lobbying, and collective action. In this essay, we will explore the application of rational choice theory in understanding political behavior and its implications for political science research and public policy analysis.

Rational choice theory has been used to understand the behavior of individuals and organizations in the workplace. In this essay, we will discuss the application of rational choice theory in understanding organizational behavior, including decision-making processes, leadership dynamics, and employee motivation.

Rational choice theory has been applied to understand environmental decision-making processes, including the behavior of individuals, businesses, and governments in relation to environmental issues. In this essay, we will explore the role of rational choice theory in understanding environmental decision-making and its implications for environmental policy and sustainability efforts.

Rational choice theory has been used to analyze decision-making processes in international relations, including conflict resolution, diplomacy, and international cooperation. In this essay, we will discuss the application of rational choice theory in understanding international relations and its implications for foreign policy analysis and global governance.

Rational choice theory is a powerful framework for understanding human decision-making processes in various contexts. Whether applied to economics, public policy, criminal behavior, or organizational dynamics, this theory provides valuable insights into the factors that influence individual choices and their implications for society. While rational choice theory has its limitations, it continues to be a valuable tool for researchers and policymakers seeking to understand and predict human behavior.

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Essay on Rational Choice Theory

Introduction.

Economists developed the rational choice theory, which includes applying microeconomic concepts to studying and explaining political behavior. The theory is also known as public-choice, formal, or social choice. This particular theory is interested in developing public policies that lead to better public interests. Its other goal includes enhancing the public policy formulation process. The theory helps in understanding and modeling individual, social and economic behavior. This study will look at the concepts the features of the rationalist theory, its assumptions, and its strengths and weaknesses. The research question is; what are the ideas, features, stability, and shortcomings of the rational choice theory. It is also essential to look at the origin of sound choice theory in political science. Therefore, the paper will look into the concepts of the theory, the features, including the assumptions, and the strengths and weaknesses of the rational choice theory. It is also important to look at the origin of the theory

The theory grew as part of a behavioral revolution in the United States that aimed to determine how people behaved. The model has become an appeal to the field of political science, especially in America. A guy named Anthony Downs became the first person to apply the theory to party competition and electoral behavior. There are other aspects besides Down’s works, and they include public choice, collective action, and rent-seeking. The theory has different approaches to social action study, social systems, structures, and human agency. The idea starts from a person’s point of view, contradicting collective action where people interact together through groups or social situations. Through the individualism aspect, the theory explains how norms, cooperation, and sharing emerge in the part of decision making. The approach is also sociologically minimalist, starting with a few simple assumptions about individual and people relationships. It then develops interaction and social action models that study and describe the complexities of systems, larger groups, and society. The theory differs from the structural approaches and techniques of Durkheim or people who develop social values and norms, an essential characteristic of their perspective. Importantly, this particular theory embraces an individual’s simple and spare model that can be used across space and time and hence becomes a universal model.

Rationality in rational choice theory means that a person acts against benefits to arrive at a point of maximizing a person’s advantage. The logical choice theory looks at three concepts; the invisible hand, rational actors, and self-interest. Individuals will use their self-interests to make decisions that will enable them to have a more significant benefit. Individuals weigh their options and pick one that will bring more meaningful results (Sato 2019). Rational actors, on the other hand, are people in the government or an economy who make rational choices based on their information and calculations. Rational actors minimize losses by maximizing their advantages. The invisible hand is a metaphor representing the unseen factors that influence a decision that benefits the entire society or most people. The rational actors and those driven by self-interests will finally make decisions that probably result in a positive outcome.

Features of Rational Choice of Theory

There are features of rational choice theory. The primary part of this particular theory is the analytical model. Rationality is considered to be a significant point in policy making. This specific theory originates from economists. As earlier stated, the approach involves using microeconomic concepts to analyze and explain political behavior in decision-making (Downs 2018). The rational policy achieves maximum social gain; society gains benefits at a higher cost. Guidelines that define leading social choice include; that no policy should be implemented if the benefits are less than the costs and that policymakers should utilize the alternative of producing a more significant advantage if there are many alternatives. Individuals term a policy rational when it achieves more value than any other policy alternative.

Rationality is equated to efficiency. The concept of rationalism involves the calculation of all economic, political, and social values achieved by a public policy. The achievement in this context is not in a narrow perspective; it is measured in cents, dollars, or bits, and the values stated are sacrificed for monetary value (“The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics” 2018). The rationality principle states choosing the best option among vast alternatives on the grounds of rationality. However, it is hard for policymakers to be rational. There are conditions for one to be reasonable. It includes; identifying and determining goals, ranking goals in order of essentiality, identifying the potential policy alternatives suitable for achieving the mentioned goals, and lastly, the cost-benefit policy analysis.

Certain conditions direct policymakers in selecting a suitable rational policy. The policymakers should be in a position to know what values are preferred in society and their significance. They should know all the alternatives available. After learning all the possible options, they should determine the consequences of each choice (Dror 2017). The policymakers should calculate the achieved to the sacrificed values ratio for all the possible alternatives. Lastly, after knowing the consequences and performing calculations, they should pick the most appropriate option that they will utilize. To accomplish all these conditions or requirements, the policymakers should have enriching information on the alternative policies and the ability and accurateness to get correct ratio values. A practical decision-making art should be involved in rational policymaking to attain rationality.

The other feature of rational choice theory is the assumptions made by those who came up with the idea. The premises include Individualism, optimality, structures, self-regarding interest, and rationality. Individualism tells us that it is individuals who make and take decisions. They are actors, especially in society and any location, and they behave as rational people, self-interested, self-calculating, and self-maximizing. Personal social actions determine the final social impacts. According to the assumption of optimality, people choose efforts optimally, considering their preferences for the values, opportunities, and weaknesses that the particular person faces. It is taking an action that the individual best prefers over the majority of alternative activities. People do all the best in any circumstances presented to them.

The other assumption is structured. The norms and structures that determine an action’s direction are unique aspects of the rational choice theory. In several circumstances, choices differ from the strongly structured events. The structured case might have one choice, while the other possibility may have several options. However, the structures may tend to destroy the nature of the rational choice theory, but people will find ways to exercise an action optimally. By doing this, the approach might not show consensus, harmony, and equality in the course of action. At times, the structure may not be optimal from an individual’s viewpoint with few resources. On the other hand, the theory will explain the emergence of this particular situation and how it is maintained via rational choices.

The other assumption is self-regarding interest. As earlier stated, a person acts according to their self-interests or welfare. However, group sentiments exist, including charity, cooperation, and unselfishness. All these elements may seem to contradict the assumption of optimality. The details can be incorporated into the theory by observing the sentiments to pursue some aspect of self-interest. Charity auctions, at times, are aimed at making a person feel good or have the purpose of raising an individual’s self-esteem (“How International Law Works: A Rational Choice Theory” 2018). Rationality is another assumption of this particular theory. It is the most common assumption and explains that people do actions in ways that they get more benefit. They make decisions they see as the best and would realise a more remarkable result.

The other feature talks about significant points in the theory. The topics include; that a person is a rational actor, rationality is mostly about calculation, based o the analytical calculations, individuals choose both deviant and conforming behavior. The other central point is that the estimate done by these people includes the cost-benefit analysis. An individual’s choice is directed to a person’s pleasure when other conditions remain equal. A government must maintain order and preserve the common good via a set system of laws. The certainty, swiftness, and severity of punishment tell the law’s ability to control someone’s behavior. Furthermore, someone’s choice is influenced via perception and understanding of the potential pain or consequence after judgment violating the social contract.

Strengths of Rational Choice Theory

The rational choice theory has been mainly in the political science field. It has been used so much to approach political issues. The idea has been explained as a unified structure for understanding human behavior (McN. and Becker 2018). It is also the most general theory of social action and rigourous theory of the century. There are other advantages of social science, which include; parsimony, generality, and predictive.

Generality means that a set of principles related to a specific action can be compatible with a group of assumptions of an environment where the rational actor is present. Parsimony is a situation whereby the combination of common knowledge and information of rationality assumption, assumption of self-regard utility, and isomorphic function with the rational optimization model allows the theory to treat the choices made by people as a function of their structural position. The only variables for determining action are preferences and beliefs. The predictive nature is whereby the theory’s assumptions have been utilized to produce several decisive approaches. The predictions of these particular theories about the measurable real-world situation rule out the outcomes than those actions or results that are primarily accepted to be unlikely. The decisive nature of the approach depends entirely on the structure and the assumptions of one activity.

Weaknesses of the Rational Choice Theory

Everything has its ups and downs so does the rational choice theory. Firstly there has been a failure to agree on which basic assumptions should be used. Secondly, there are issues associated with uncertainty and inadequate information. Lack of enough information leads to people making irrational decisions and not getting the benefit they want. Due to uncertainty and insufficient data, individuals tend to depend on other ways to make decisions. Thirdly, the aspects of interaction and social action are very complex, and it becomes hard for the rational choice theory to give guidelines on how to deal with the issues. However, other approaches can better explain the interaction and social action issue.

Theorists argue the individual social action model can be used to explain macro-level structures and institutions. However, there are issues with individuals’ aggregation of society-level phenomena. The habits and norms of a person can be used to give guidance to much action. After some time, the practices and standards are deeply rooted within people. The people will not question them but utilize them in meaningful social action. The other primary problem of this particular theory is that it creates an argument that what people always do is rational self-sacrifice and philanthropy. Thus, it means that the irrational action becomes integrated into the model. Due to this, it will be hard to come up with standards to know what is rational and what is unreasonable.

In conclusion, the theory assumes that all things are not equal. For this particular reason, it is evident that people make choices and decisions regardless of the circumstances—a person’s values, beliefs, and philosophy influence how someone makes choices and decisions. The concepts related to the relational choice theory are self-interest, the invisible hand, and the rational actors. All of these concepts influence the way people make choices and decisions. There are features of the sound choice theory. The first feature of the idea is its originality and explains the use of the microeconomic approach to explaining political behavior in decision-making. The other feature is the conditions required for policymakers to make a rational policy. These include the respective individuals knowing the values and preferences and available alternatives. There are other conditions explained. In addition, there are central points of the rational choice theory, including individuals being rational actors. Moreover, the strengths given are the advantages of the sound choice theory and include generality predictive and parsimony issues. The approach, besides having powers, has weaknesses. The weaknesses presented are majorly the criticism from others who have carefully studied all the aspects of the theory. The theory is majorly about Individualism and making rational decisions. It thus helps in the making of policies in any governance system.

Sato, Yoshimichi. 2019. “Rational Choice Theory.” Sociopedia. https://doi.org/10.1177/205684601372.

Downs, Anthony. 2018. “An Economic Theory of Political Action in a Democracy.” Journal of Political Economy 65 (2): 135–50. https://doi.org/10.1086/257897.

Dror, Yehezkel. Public Policymaking: Reexamined. Routledge, 2017.

McN., G., and Gary S. Becker. 2018. “The Economic Approach to Human Behavior.” Population and Development Review 4 (3): 525. https://doi.org/10.2307/1972864.

“How International Law Works: A Rational Choice Theory.” 2018. Choice Reviews Online 48 (09): 48–534548–5345. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.48-5345.

“The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics.” 2018. Choice Reviews Online 46 (02): 46-066646-0666. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.46-0666.

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Rational Choice Theory in Sociology (Examples & Criticism)

Archebold T Marufu (MA, Philosophy)

Archie Marufu has an MA in Philosophy where he completed a thesis in Public health ethics. He has a strong research proficiency in sociology, philosophy, business ethics, and environmental ethics.

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Rational choice theory is a theory that is used to explain and understand the reasoning behind human behavior. The underlying assumption is that human beings are rational creatures, which means they rely on reason and logic to make decisions.

The theory can be used to understand both individual and social groups ’ behavior in various disciplines including economics, sociology and politics.

The commonly cited definition of the rational choice theory is that by Elster (1989), who submitted that:

“…when faced with several courses of action, people usually do what they believe is likely to have the best overall outcome.”

In other words, human beings are rational actors who act in their own self-interest. An individual tends to act as if balancing costs against benefits to arrive at action that maximizes personal advantage.

This definition points to the widely accepted assumption in psychology that human beings are naturally egocentric. The assumption here is that self-preservation and wellbeing are the driving forces behind every individual’s actions.

The Four Assumptions of Rational Choice Theory

The theory makes several assumptions about human behavior that are often disputed. These include:

• Decisions are a simple matter of cost vs reward
• People take action when benefits outweigh costs
• People will take no action, stop taking action, or take opposite action, when costs outweigh benefits
• People utilize the resources they have at hand to maximize opportunity and tip the scales of a decision in their favor

Strengths of Rational Choice Theory

Some of the key strengths of the rational choice theory include:

1. It effectively explains individual behavior

Becker (1976) argued that the rational choice theory model is a unified framework for understanding all human behavior.

The rational choice theory can be used to explain why people behave the way they do. It gives an insight into the motivating factors or psychology behind human decision making. Self-interests are the central factor in explaining human behavior

2. It predicts human behavior

Once the knowledge of why individuals behave in a certain way is available, predictions can then be made.

Because almost every decision-making process  is a cost-benefit analysis , actions that result in the most utility maximization can be predicted or anticipated.

In economics, for instance, the rational choice theory can be used to predict customer purchasing patterns and trends.

See Also: Human Behavior Examples

3. It explains and predicts social group behavior

Rational choice theory can be used to explain the behavior of a social group of like-minded individuals.

Individuals with similar preferences are likely to form a group. The shared interests or common values influence their behavior as a group and can be used to predict future behavior.

Examples of groups that share common interests and values include religious groups, political groups and other social groups.

Criticisms of Rational Choice Theory

Rational choice theory has been criticized for the following reasons.

1. It does not account for altruistic or selfless actions

Rational choice theory is based on the assumption that there is a direct or indirect relationship between an individual action and a benefit.

The theory assumes that all human decisions are driven by self-interest but this is not always the case.

There are actions which are selfless or altruistic in nature and the rational choice theory does not convincingly take these into account.

2. It does not explain impulsive actions

Another weakness of the rational choice theory is that it assumes a careful thought process or cost-benefit analysis whenever an individual has to make a decision.

However, this is not always the case. There are some decisions which are made “impulsively” or without consideration of the consequences.

Not all decisions are rational hence the difference between a good decision and a bad decision.

Intuitive decisions can also be made without much time to weigh the cost and benefits. The theory assumes that there is always enough time to carefully consider the costs and benefits of a decision thereby disregarding impromptu and emotional decisions. 

3. When team goals supersede individual goals

Due to its strong emphasis on individual decisions, the rational choice theory ignores the influence of collective groups.

It assumes that all decisions begin and end at individual level. Studies have shown that not all decisions are self-serving as individuals may, at times, succumb to social pressure even at the expense of their own benefit.

Therefore, the rational choice theory can be criticized for failing to take into account societal factors like cultural values and norms which may have a significant influence on the decisions of an individual.

Rational Choice Theory Examples

1. political scenario: which political party or candidate to vote for.

When choosing who to vote for, voters will prefer the party that will be of most benefit to them as an individual.

For instance, a wealthy person is more likely to vote for a party that wants to lower taxes on the rich. This person is in turn less likely to vote for socialist parties who tend to favor higher taxes.

Similarly, poorer people are more likely to endorse higher taxes on the rich because it doesn’t affect them, but may lead to better social services.

We can see, in terms of social trends, that wealthier people vote in higher numbers for right-of-center parties and poorer people vote in higher numbers for left-of-center parties.

Nevertheless, this rule does not hold up for all individuals. Some people may vote against their immediate personal interests if they place more value on social cohesion , freedom, or another value. In these situations, a rational choice theorist would still say that the person is making the rational choice – it’s just that they are weighing up costs and benefits in a different way to what we might have expected.

2. Personal scenario: Healthy diet or instant gratification?

Most people have become conscious of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and diet. This is why the fitness industry is fast becoming a lucrative one.

Those who can afford to choose when and what they eat often have to decide between maintaining a healthy diet or instantly gratify themselves albeit with excessive unhealthy foods.

In most cases, individuals prefer the former as it tends to have long term health benefits for individuals. The potential personal benefits of healthy eating influence the rational option to maintain a healthy diet.  

3. Social scenario: Visit family or enjoy vacation alone?

Another example is that of an individual deciding between spending time with their family or enjoy a vacation alone.

Human beings are naturally social beings which means the need to belong to a group is one that cannot be ignored easily. This might mean overriding individualistic desires to satisfy the social need to belong to a group.

The benefits of enjoying a vacation alone may be outweighed by the benefits of belonging to and participating in a social group hence spending time with family might be the rational choice.

4. Economic scenario: Save for retirement or donate all income?

Consider an individual choosing between saving some money for retirement or donating all of his income without any consideration of his future wellbeing.

Conventionally, saving money would be a favorable choice as it guarantees future financial security for the person.

While donating might give a degree of moral fulfillment as a potential benefit, that benefit would not necessarily outweigh the economic benefit of self-preservation. The rational choice, therefore, would be to save some money to guarantee oneself’s future wellbeing.

Theoretical Applications

The theory can be applied in a range of fields. Some examples include:

• Marketing: Companies put in place limited-time offers to tip the scales of cost vs benefit and encourage consumers to pull out their money.
• Economics and political science: Governments instate policies designed to tip the scales of cost vs benefit on a national scale. For example, subsidies for electric cars can help encourage consumers to buy electric vehicles and stimulate the green economy.
• Sociology and criminology: The theory helps to describe deviant behavior and why people choose to engage in antisocial behaviors.
• International relations: The theory underpins approaches to international relations, including Germany’s (now failed) approach to integrating Russian and German economies to make a Russian war in Europe a bad choice for Russians whose economy would tank. It also underpins the concept of mutually assured destruction in nuclear policy.

Rational choice theory is a theory that explains human decisions. This theory tries to describe the self-serving nature of individual decisions. It borrows from the general principle that human beings are naturally selfish and will therefore always choose an option that costs less and benefits them more.

Rational choice theory can be utilized to explain and predict human behavior in various disciplines including economics, sociology and politics as illustrated in the examples section.

The main strength of the theory lies in its ability to explain and predict both individual and social groups’ behavior. However, it often fails in cases where individuals do not have adequate information or time and opportunity to weigh the cost and benefits before making decisions.

Abell, P. (2000). Putting Social Theory Right?  Sociological Theory, 18(3), 518–523.

Becker, G. (1976); The Economic Approach to Human Behavior , Chicago and London:  The  University of Chicago Press, pp. 3-14.

Elster, J. (1989); Social Norms and Economic Theory , Journal of Economic Perspectives,  American Economic Association, vol. 3(4), pages 99-117.

Friedman, M. (1953); Essays in Positive Economics , Chicago: University of Chicago Press.  pp. 15, 22, 31.

Hechter, M. (2019). The future of rational choice theory and its relationships to quantitative macro-sociological research. In  Rational Choice Theory and Large-Scale Data Analysis  (pp. 281-290). Routledge.

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Rational Choice Theory: Paul Bernardo Essay

Introduction, rational choice theory, media coverage.

There are multiple theories in criminology that aim to explain the unlawful actions of criminals. The rational choice theory is based on the premise or rationalization of benefits versus cost, which ultimately influences the decision-making process. Thus, the outcomes are direct results of rational choices in which the criminals pick the option that is most rewarding and less harmful as perceived by them. Based on the case of the Canadian serial killer Paul Bernardo, this paper will argue that the rational choice theory can explain why the crimes were committed. Moreover, media coverage will be discussed in regards to the portrayal of the case and the offenders.

In order for the rationality of the crimes to be identified and examined, it is important to provide an overview of the violent offenses that made Paul Bernardo one of the most infamous serial killers in Canada. Bernardo, alongside his wife, Karla Homolka, sexually assaulted 18 women and killed 3 (Wickenheiser, 2021). The assaults, rapes, and murders are often attributed to Bernardo’s psychopathy, yet a certain pattern can be determined, which suggests that the crimes were rationalized and correlate with the rational choice theory.

The rational choice theory in criminology illustrates that individuals commit offenses based on the weighing in of means and ends. Thus, the action that is being taken is one that is perceived as having the highest utility for the perpetrator (Paternoster et al., 2017). In order for the implications of the framework in Paul Bernardo’s case to be identified, it is essential to examine what factors the individual views as rewarding and which ones are perceived as punishable, hence, negative. In terms of the costs, a prison sentence is the main factor that can stop a person from committing a crime. However, since Bernardo sexually assaulted and murdered several women, it is certain that the benefits were perceived as more crucial than the potential arrest. In this case, the explanation suggests that Bernardo’s aim was to receive satisfaction from the crimes that were committed while rationalizing the options for the minimization of possible costs. As a result, the serial killer managed to rationalize the murders and rapes by ensuring low danger and negative consequences.

One example of how rational choice theory can be applied is the lack of involvement of the police. According to researchers, Bernardo’s case is an illustration of uncoordinated and ineffective police work, especially since the killer’s DNA sample was collected but unchecked years before he was finally captured (McKenna, 2018). Thus, Bernardo’s rational idea of avoiding police became more relevant when even after the law enforcement had his DNA, the criminal was not punished or caught. As a result, rationality suggested the danger to be unsubstantiated due to the lack of involvement from the police officers. As mentioned prior, the serial killer operated based on the rational choice theory, and in this case, the punishment of being incarcerated became redundant since no follow-up procedures were performed to match the sample to the criminal. As a result, a logical chain of events that followed was a continuation of crimes, including rapes and murder, since no negative outcome was associated with the deeds.

Another explanation of the rational choice theory being applied to the case of Paul Bernardo is the pattern of the crimes. First, it is important to mention that the killing of his wife’s sister, Tammy Homolka, was framed as an accident (McAleese, 2019). Thus, both Bernardo and Karla Homolka were aware of the consequences and tried to frame the murder in a way that they would not be affected. This illustrates how the serial killer was rational in terms of understanding the repercussions and actively trying to avoid them. This, indeed, worked since both Homolka and Bernardo were captured years later. The killers were making sure the victims would be blindfolded and unable to identify them, which also portrays the picture of rational thinking and an effort to avoid prison. These actions fit into the paradigm of rationality in decision-making processes since all the actions performed with the intent to hide evidence suggests a sense of rationality was present.

It is also essential to mention that Bernardo was a serial rapist, and the murders were less frequent. This may highlight that the intent of the criminal was sexual gratification, and the murders were illustrations of the intent to remain unidentified or a solution to the situations that escalated from the standard behavior of the killer. According to researchers, individuals are more likely to commit crimes that are intrinsically rewarding but less risky (Thomas et al., 2020). This correlates with the criminal’s pattern of sexual assault and violence, which prevailed compared to the number of victims who were murdered.

Firstly, such crimes are punished less harshly or remain unaddressed. Due to the fact that victims are often apprehensive in regards to going to the police after being raped, the criminal may have rationalized that such behavior is less likely to lead to Bernardo receiving a prison sentence. Secondly, rape was present in most of the couple’s crimes, while killing was less frequent. This highlights that sexual gratification was the main driving factor that allowed Bernardo to rationalize that giving in to his desires is more rewarding than avoiding the violence altogether. As a result, rational choice, in this case, does not imply that the criminal does not view incarceration as a severe repercussion. Instead, the sexual assault, which gives the serial killer fulfillment and satisfaction, is worth being carried out despite the punishment that can follow.

Based on the premises of the rational choice theory, the person committing the crimes is mindful of the actions, yet in their value systems, the satisfaction or benefits outweigh the negative implications. In the case of Paul Bernardo and his wife, Karla Homolka, the deviances created the circumstances in which the sexual assaults and murders were justifiable despite understanding the repercussions of being caught. The theory does not minimize urges and emotions altogether since it is clear that Bernardo was driven by harmful desire. However, the actions themselves are results of rational thinking and are elevated by the understanding that the police are not particularly effective. Moreover, as mentioned prior, the fact that not all assaults have resulted in murders and some victims were blindfolded highlights premeditation. This is directly linked to rationality and the complete understanding that a victim identifying the criminal will lead to a prison sentence.

Needless to say, there were multiple Canadian serial killers who were widely discussed in the media and became infamous for the crimes they have committed. However, Bernardo and Homolka were the murderers that have been in international news for the atrocities discovered during the court case and the circumstances of the murders and rapes. First, only US media was allowed to cover the cases, yet eventually, both Bernardo and Homolka became figures of evil as portrayed in Canadian media. There were several reasons why the two serial killers became so infamous and often mentioned in the news, TV shows, and newspapers. First, as mentioned prior, Homolka’s sister was one of the victims who were murdered, which emphasized the atrocities performed by the couple. While initially, such actions may not appear to correlate with the rational choice theory since the victim and the killers were in close relationships, the murder was framed to look like an accident, which the media also published. Thus, the sensational news that a serial killer and his wife killed her sister after raping her became a story that was widely discussed in the press.

Another aspect that has drawn even more media attention was the presence of explicit videos in which the couple assaulted, raped, and killed girls. Videos were shown in court, which the press found out about and highlighted in reports (Regehr et al., 2022). The existence of video evidence not only proves the guaranteed guilt of the criminals but also creates more publicity for the situation due to the public’s interest. Performing the crime is perceived as evil in itself, yet the pragmatic and rational idea of documenting it on film allowed media to create an even more negative image of both Bernardo and Homolka.

Last but not least, the public was interested in the story due to the incompetence of the police and the understanding that the criminals would have been caught much earlier. It is certain that most people want to feel safe and protected by law enforcement. However, the way police officers handled the situation and did not prevent future atrocities showed the public the flaws within the system. The media was not only successful in making the crimes public but also focused on showcasing the reasons why the atrocities have not been addressed. In this case, the police would be able to detain Bernardo and his wife after thoughtfully investigating the death of Homolka’s minor sister, checking the DNA sample provided by the serial killer, or paying close attention to the victims who described the rapist. Instead, Bernardo managed to avoid incarceration, resulting in multiple more rapes and murders to take place before, finally, the atrocities were linked to him. Thus, the general opinion formed after the media’s extensive portrayal of the case was focused both on the crimes and the lack of involvement of the police officers.

The infamous Canadian serial killer Paul Bernardo has committed multiple violent crimes, yet rational choice can explain the course of events that have led to such outcomes. Based on the premises of this particular theory, the criminal was aware of his actions and decided to commit the atrocities because Bernardo’s value system allowed him to justify the satisfaction. The killer’s actions, while seemingly passion-driven, have been rationalized, which can be explained by the prevalence of rapes over murders and the efforts to avoid police encounters when covering tracks and framing the murders to look like accidents. The media portrayal of the case has been extensive, and there are also several reasons that explain such coverage. Since one of the killings involved Bernardo’s wife’s sister, there were videotapes, and police did not respond accordingly; the public was interested in the case. Thus, rational choice theory explains the crimes committed by Bernardo, and the public was drawn to the publicity aspect of the court hearings due to the multiple circumstances portraying Bernardo’s situation as a particularly atrocious one.

McAleese, S. (2019). Suspension, not expungement: Rationalizing misguided policy decisions around cannabis amnesty in Canada. Canadian Public Administration , 62 (4), 612–633. Web.

McKenna, P. F. (2018). Evidence-based policing in Canada. Canadian Public Administration , 61 (1). Web.

Paternoster, R., Jaynes, C. M., & Wilson, T. (2017). Rational choice theory and interest in the “Fortune of others.” Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency , 54 (6), 847–868. Web.

Regehr, C., Regehr, K., & Birze, A. (2022). Traumatic residue, mediated remembering and video evidence of sexual violence: A case study. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry , 81 , 101778. Web.

Thomas, K. J., Loughran, T. A., & Hamilton, B. C. (2020). Perceived arrest risk, psychic rewards, and offense specialization: A partial test of rational choice theory. Criminology , 58 (3), 485–509. Web.

Wickenheiser, R. A. (2021). Reimagining forensic science – the mission of the forensic laboratory. Forensic Science International: Synergy , 3 , 100153. Web.

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IvyPanda. (2023, February 18). Rational Choice Theory: Paul Bernardo. https://ivypanda.com/essays/rational-choice-theory-paul-bernardo/

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