Final answer:
Descriptive theories detail what people actually choose, contrasting with normative theories about how they should choose. Both can be valid if they adhere to scientific principles.
Thus, the correct option is 2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The class of theories that attempt to describe what people actually decide, rather than what they should decide, is called Descriptive theories. These theories focus on actual behavior and decisions, in contrast to normative theories, which prescribe how people ought to behave based on ethical, moral, or philosophical standards. Descriptive theories are used in various fields, including economics, psychology, and political science, to explain and predict real-world decision-making processes.
In answering whether one theory can be more valid than another if both describe experimental observations equally well, we must delve into the philosophy of science. The validity of a theory is often determined by its ability to predict future events, its coherence with existing knowledge, and its explanative power. Notably, two theories can be equally valid if they meet the accepted criteria of scientific investigation, even though they might use different underlying assumptions or perspectives.
Therefore, the correct option is 2) Descriptive theories