Which of the following is NOT one of the main assumptions of Rational Choice Theory?

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Prepare for the MCAT Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Rational Choice Theory is grounded on several key assumptions regarding the decision-making process of individuals. One of the foundational elements of this theory is the notion that individuals are rational actors who systematically evaluate their options to maximize their utility based on preferences.

The assumptions central to Rational Choice Theory include:

  1. Completeness of action ranking: This assumption suggests that individuals can compare all available options and rank them according to their preferences.

  2. Independence of irrelevant alternatives: This principle states that the choice between two alternatives should not be influenced by the presence or absence of additional alternatives.

  3. Transitivity of preferences: This means that if an individual prefers option A over option B and option B over option C, then they must also prefer option A over option C.

The answer identifies that emotional attachment influences decisions as the statement that is not a core assumption of Rational Choice Theory. This is because Rational Choice Theory assumes that decision-making is based purely on rational evaluation of options and not on emotional factors. Decisions in Rational Choice framework are thought to arise from logical and objective analysis rather than emotional considerations or attachments, which would be seen as external to the rational evaluation of choices.