Subjectively defining the concept of rationality in relation to selected aspects of decision-making
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15503/onis2022.120.134Keywords:
rationality, altruism, dictator game, maximizationAbstract
Aim. The aim of this study was to check whether the way of interpreting rationality
by the research subjects is associated with their economic decisions and tendencies to maximize.
Materials and method. A study was carried out on 204 people, mainly of student age, with the use of the created definitions of rationality, two variants of the dictator game and the Maximization Scale, using the Qualtrics platform.
Results. The most important results suggest that the understanding of rationality is related to the amount of offers made in the dictator games — the relationship is positive for the philosophical definition, and negative for the economic one. At the same time, the results on the Maximization Scale showed (partially) significant relationships with the offers made in the dictator game. The respondents who preferred the economic definition of rationality, were male, achieved a high level on the Maximization Scale and studied economics, and had the greatest tendency to submit lower offers in the dictator game.
Conclusions. The study shows that the way rationality is defined and understood can be significantly related to how a person manages money — whether they are driven by pro-socially oriented preferences, or whether their choices are more selfish. Continuing these considerations in theory and practice may contribute to the development and updating of fundamental terms (and the positions taken on them) in psychology, philosophy and economics.
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