Question

Since he was little, Robert has enjoyed singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments. In middle

school he pursued these interests by joining band and theater. As a result, many of the boys in
school picked on Robert for "acting like a girl." To change his image and how he was treated, in high
school Robert decided to stop pursuing his interest in the arts and join the basketball team. Which
sociological perspective would best explain Robert's decision?
O Functionalism
O Symbolic Interaction
O Conflict Theory
Rational Choice Theory

Answer 1

Rational Choice Theory would best explain Robert's decision. According to this theory, individuals make decisions based on rational calculations of the costs and benefits associated with different options. Robert likely weighed the benefits of pursuing his interests in the arts (enjoyment, personal fulfillment) against the costs (ridicule, social exclusion), and decided that joining the basketball team would provide him with greater social acceptance and therefore be the rational choice.