Rationality & Society
@rss-journal.bsky.social
A peer-reviewed journal debating the rational action paradigm and showing how it helps to understand societal problems.
Submit: https://journals.sagepub.com/author-instructions/RSS
Edited by Andreas Flache
Account managed by @aloseva.bsky.social
Submit: https://journals.sagepub.com/author-instructions/RSS
Edited by Andreas Flache
Account managed by @aloseva.bsky.social
Is #morality "rational"?
Even "broad" #RationalChoice theory doesn't fully resolve a paradox: Cheating can be seen as rational, but following a "Never lie" norm can’t 🤔
Palacio-Vera offers a way out: Reconsidering what’s rational and combining theoretical frameworks.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Even "broad" #RationalChoice theory doesn't fully resolve a paradox: Cheating can be seen as rational, but following a "Never lie" norm can’t 🤔
Palacio-Vera offers a way out: Reconsidering what’s rational and combining theoretical frameworks.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
December 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Is #morality "rational"?
Even "broad" #RationalChoice theory doesn't fully resolve a paradox: Cheating can be seen as rational, but following a "Never lie" norm can’t 🤔
Palacio-Vera offers a way out: Reconsidering what’s rational and combining theoretical frameworks.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Even "broad" #RationalChoice theory doesn't fully resolve a paradox: Cheating can be seen as rational, but following a "Never lie" norm can’t 🤔
Palacio-Vera offers a way out: Reconsidering what’s rational and combining theoretical frameworks.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Do #prosocial people sustain #cooperation?
Bouman & Dijkstra @rug.nl ran an #experiment with repeated #SocialDilemma where enough resourceful players needed to invest in #PublicGood.
Takeaway: When others don’t contribute, altruists quickly learn to free-ride.
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Bouman & Dijkstra @rug.nl ran an #experiment with repeated #SocialDilemma where enough resourceful players needed to invest in #PublicGood.
Takeaway: When others don’t contribute, altruists quickly learn to free-ride.
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
November 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Do #prosocial people sustain #cooperation?
Bouman & Dijkstra @rug.nl ran an #experiment with repeated #SocialDilemma where enough resourceful players needed to invest in #PublicGood.
Takeaway: When others don’t contribute, altruists quickly learn to free-ride.
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Bouman & Dijkstra @rug.nl ran an #experiment with repeated #SocialDilemma where enough resourceful players needed to invest in #PublicGood.
Takeaway: When others don’t contribute, altruists quickly learn to free-ride.
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Academic housekeeper (she/her)
With #EqualPay and no #GenderInequality in workload, is #labor #discrimination in #academia overcome?
No, say Yabut & Arapoc. Low-promotable academic housework – committee, community, admin – falls more on the shoulders of married women.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
With #EqualPay and no #GenderInequality in workload, is #labor #discrimination in #academia overcome?
No, say Yabut & Arapoc. Low-promotable academic housework – committee, community, admin – falls more on the shoulders of married women.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
November 13, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Academic housekeeper (she/her)
With #EqualPay and no #GenderInequality in workload, is #labor #discrimination in #academia overcome?
No, say Yabut & Arapoc. Low-promotable academic housework – committee, community, admin – falls more on the shoulders of married women.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
With #EqualPay and no #GenderInequality in workload, is #labor #discrimination in #academia overcome?
No, say Yabut & Arapoc. Low-promotable academic housework – committee, community, admin – falls more on the shoulders of married women.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
“Bregretful” from the start 🇬🇧
Even before the UK left the EU, some #Brexit supporters were rethinking their vote.
@sofizqsan.bsky.social & Kara trace who changed their minds in 2017–2019 — and what that says about using #referendums to settle complex issues.
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Even before the UK left the EU, some #Brexit supporters were rethinking their vote.
@sofizqsan.bsky.social & Kara trace who changed their minds in 2017–2019 — and what that says about using #referendums to settle complex issues.
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
November 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
“Bregretful” from the start 🇬🇧
Even before the UK left the EU, some #Brexit supporters were rethinking their vote.
@sofizqsan.bsky.social & Kara trace who changed their minds in 2017–2019 — and what that says about using #referendums to settle complex issues.
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Even before the UK left the EU, some #Brexit supporters were rethinking their vote.
@sofizqsan.bsky.social & Kara trace who changed their minds in 2017–2019 — and what that says about using #referendums to settle complex issues.
#OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Read in November’25 issue:
🇬🇧 Who regretted #Brexit?
🎓 What gender are “ #academic housekeepers”?
🤝 When do #altruists turn free-riders?
🤔 What explains #morality?
🧠 Does #TheoryOfMind hinder #cooperation?
#BehavioralScience #GameTheory @journals.sagepub.com
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/toc/rssa/37/4
🇬🇧 Who regretted #Brexit?
🎓 What gender are “ #academic housekeepers”?
🤝 When do #altruists turn free-riders?
🤔 What explains #morality?
🧠 Does #TheoryOfMind hinder #cooperation?
#BehavioralScience #GameTheory @journals.sagepub.com
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/toc/rssa/37/4
October 30, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Read in November’25 issue:
🇬🇧 Who regretted #Brexit?
🎓 What gender are “ #academic housekeepers”?
🤝 When do #altruists turn free-riders?
🤔 What explains #morality?
🧠 Does #TheoryOfMind hinder #cooperation?
#BehavioralScience #GameTheory @journals.sagepub.com
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/toc/rssa/37/4
🇬🇧 Who regretted #Brexit?
🎓 What gender are “ #academic housekeepers”?
🤝 When do #altruists turn free-riders?
🤔 What explains #morality?
🧠 Does #TheoryOfMind hinder #cooperation?
#BehavioralScience #GameTheory @journals.sagepub.com
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/toc/rssa/37/4
"I don't tip because society says I have to”?
In the paper following the renowned book “Passions Within Reason”, Frank explains why we commit to tipping and other #SocialNorms that go against our #SelfInterest.
Opening #ThrowbackThursday 🧵 on #emotions in #rationality:
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
In the paper following the renowned book “Passions Within Reason”, Frank explains why we commit to tipping and other #SocialNorms that go against our #SelfInterest.
Opening #ThrowbackThursday 🧵 on #emotions in #rationality:
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
October 9, 2025 at 2:02 PM
"I don't tip because society says I have to”?
In the paper following the renowned book “Passions Within Reason”, Frank explains why we commit to tipping and other #SocialNorms that go against our #SelfInterest.
Opening #ThrowbackThursday 🧵 on #emotions in #rationality:
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
In the paper following the renowned book “Passions Within Reason”, Frank explains why we commit to tipping and other #SocialNorms that go against our #SelfInterest.
Opening #ThrowbackThursday 🧵 on #emotions in #rationality:
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
When someone faints on the street, 🧑🏽🤝🧑🏻 several people can jump to help — even if just one person's help is needed. But how to make sure there is at least one #volunteer among #bystanders?
Konrad shows how team discussion can solve the volunteer's #dilemma.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Konrad shows how team discussion can solve the volunteer's #dilemma.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
October 2, 2025 at 1:32 PM
When someone faints on the street, 🧑🏽🤝🧑🏻 several people can jump to help — even if just one person's help is needed. But how to make sure there is at least one #volunteer among #bystanders?
Konrad shows how team discussion can solve the volunteer's #dilemma.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Konrad shows how team discussion can solve the volunteer's #dilemma.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
⚔️ Is #Germany split 50/50 on #immigration and Islam?
Windzio finds: “conservative-skeptical” and “open-trusting” Germans aren’t opposites in how they think of #minorities or state institutions — but their political views reflect different #moral values.
#polarization
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Windzio finds: “conservative-skeptical” and “open-trusting” Germans aren’t opposites in how they think of #minorities or state institutions — but their political views reflect different #moral values.
#polarization
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
September 25, 2025 at 1:59 PM
⚔️ Is #Germany split 50/50 on #immigration and Islam?
Windzio finds: “conservative-skeptical” and “open-trusting” Germans aren’t opposites in how they think of #minorities or state institutions — but their political views reflect different #moral values.
#polarization
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Windzio finds: “conservative-skeptical” and “open-trusting” Germans aren’t opposites in how they think of #minorities or state institutions — but their political views reflect different #moral values.
#polarization
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Launching a #startup and worried your #crowdfunding campaign might fall short? Ask for less — lower targets often get overfunded 💰. Why?
Barrachina & Jiménez-Fernández explain the equity crowdfunding paradox with #GameTheory.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Barrachina & Jiménez-Fernández explain the equity crowdfunding paradox with #GameTheory.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
September 4, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Launching a #startup and worried your #crowdfunding campaign might fall short? Ask for less — lower targets often get overfunded 💰. Why?
Barrachina & Jiménez-Fernández explain the equity crowdfunding paradox with #GameTheory.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Barrachina & Jiménez-Fernández explain the equity crowdfunding paradox with #GameTheory.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Caplan’s "rational irrationality" has faced many critiques. Why are people #rational in daily life but irrational on #election day 🗳️?
In defense, Manor argues that political beliefs differ from other ones in two key ways — how they connect to action and how we form them.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
In defense, Manor argues that political beliefs differ from other ones in two key ways — how they connect to action and how we form them.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
August 28, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Caplan’s "rational irrationality" has faced many critiques. Why are people #rational in daily life but irrational on #election day 🗳️?
In defense, Manor argues that political beliefs differ from other ones in two key ways — how they connect to action and how we form them.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
In defense, Manor argues that political beliefs differ from other ones in two key ways — how they connect to action and how we form them.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Evergreens:
📣 Why people embrace #populism?
💬 "the general public tends to see `major problems' that experts doubt are problems at all"
🤥 Do populist politicians really believe what they say?
💬 "[electoral] competition <...> selects for politicians who genuinely share [their voters'] biases"
📣 Why people embrace #populism?
💬 "the general public tends to see `major problems' that experts doubt are problems at all"
🤥 Do populist politicians really believe what they say?
💬 "[electoral] competition <...> selects for politicians who genuinely share [their voters'] biases"
August 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Evergreens:
📣 Why people embrace #populism?
💬 "the general public tends to see `major problems' that experts doubt are problems at all"
🤥 Do populist politicians really believe what they say?
💬 "[electoral] competition <...> selects for politicians who genuinely share [their voters'] biases"
📣 Why people embrace #populism?
💬 "the general public tends to see `major problems' that experts doubt are problems at all"
🤥 Do populist politicians really believe what they say?
💬 "[electoral] competition <...> selects for politicians who genuinely share [their voters'] biases"
What’s common between USB 💻 and birthday candles 🎂?
Industry standards & social norms are results of consensus 🤝. How to reach it?
Renzini’s #GameTheory #ABM shows: choosing popular partners in #SocialNetworks boosts coordination while chasing personal gain weakens it.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Industry standards & social norms are results of consensus 🤝. How to reach it?
Renzini’s #GameTheory #ABM shows: choosing popular partners in #SocialNetworks boosts coordination while chasing personal gain weakens it.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
August 14, 2025 at 1:39 PM
What’s common between USB 💻 and birthday candles 🎂?
Industry standards & social norms are results of consensus 🤝. How to reach it?
Renzini’s #GameTheory #ABM shows: choosing popular partners in #SocialNetworks boosts coordination while chasing personal gain weakens it.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Industry standards & social norms are results of consensus 🤝. How to reach it?
Renzini’s #GameTheory #ABM shows: choosing popular partners in #SocialNetworks boosts coordination while chasing personal gain weakens it.
🔗 doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Read in August'25 issue:
⚔️ Do political disagreements hide deeper moral divides?
💰 Why do small crowdfunding goals get overshot?
🧑🏽🤝🧑🏻 When do people step up to help?
🤝 Which networking rules foster consensus?
🗳️ Are voters “rationally irrational”?
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/toc/rssa/37/3
⚔️ Do political disagreements hide deeper moral divides?
💰 Why do small crowdfunding goals get overshot?
🧑🏽🤝🧑🏻 When do people step up to help?
🤝 Which networking rules foster consensus?
🗳️ Are voters “rationally irrational”?
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/toc/rssa/37/3
August 7, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Read in August'25 issue:
⚔️ Do political disagreements hide deeper moral divides?
💰 Why do small crowdfunding goals get overshot?
🧑🏽🤝🧑🏻 When do people step up to help?
🤝 Which networking rules foster consensus?
🗳️ Are voters “rationally irrational”?
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/toc/rssa/37/3
⚔️ Do political disagreements hide deeper moral divides?
💰 Why do small crowdfunding goals get overshot?
🧑🏽🤝🧑🏻 When do people step up to help?
🤝 Which networking rules foster consensus?
🗳️ Are voters “rationally irrational”?
🔗 journals.sagepub.com/toc/rssa/37/3
In #history, kinship ties made dynasties 💪 (think Medici) — but also fueled anti-elite revolts 🔥.
Armandola, Doehne, and Rost use #SocialNetworks to study #CollectiveAction and reveal who joined the 1691 Basel uprising.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Armandola, Doehne, and Rost use #SocialNetworks to study #CollectiveAction and reveal who joined the 1691 Basel uprising.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
July 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
In #history, kinship ties made dynasties 💪 (think Medici) — but also fueled anti-elite revolts 🔥.
Armandola, Doehne, and Rost use #SocialNetworks to study #CollectiveAction and reveal who joined the 1691 Basel uprising.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Armandola, Doehne, and Rost use #SocialNetworks to study #CollectiveAction and reveal who joined the 1691 Basel uprising.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
In a world of only Right and Left, do you:
🗳️ run to cast a ballot, or
🙈 ignore the #elections?
Arzumanyan shows why a chasm between party platforms does not intimidate voters but boosts #turnout – unlike similar centrist policies.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
🗳️ run to cast a ballot, or
🙈 ignore the #elections?
Arzumanyan shows why a chasm between party platforms does not intimidate voters but boosts #turnout – unlike similar centrist policies.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
July 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
In a world of only Right and Left, do you:
🗳️ run to cast a ballot, or
🙈 ignore the #elections?
Arzumanyan shows why a chasm between party platforms does not intimidate voters but boosts #turnout – unlike similar centrist policies.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
🗳️ run to cast a ballot, or
🙈 ignore the #elections?
Arzumanyan shows why a chasm between party platforms does not intimidate voters but boosts #turnout – unlike similar centrist policies.
Read #OpenAccess: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Reading a quote about kindness, would you be moved to donate time ⌚ or money 💸 to help others?
How we frame messages and incentives can affect people’s willingness to do good.
Barrera, Romanò, and Bocca explore this in simple experiments and real-world tasks: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
How we frame messages and incentives can affect people’s willingness to do good.
Barrera, Romanò, and Bocca explore this in simple experiments and real-world tasks: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
July 17, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Reading a quote about kindness, would you be moved to donate time ⌚ or money 💸 to help others?
How we frame messages and incentives can affect people’s willingness to do good.
Barrera, Romanò, and Bocca explore this in simple experiments and real-world tasks: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
How we frame messages and incentives can affect people’s willingness to do good.
Barrera, Romanò, and Bocca explore this in simple experiments and real-world tasks: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
To foster #cooperation, we either 🤝 form lasting relationships or 📝 sign contracts — but both come at a cost. Sokolova, Buskens & Raub use #GameTheory and experiments to show when people choose to invest in these strategies.
Read #OpenAccess: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Read #OpenAccess: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
July 10, 2025 at 2:08 PM
To foster #cooperation, we either 🤝 form lasting relationships or 📝 sign contracts — but both come at a cost. Sokolova, Buskens & Raub use #GameTheory and experiments to show when people choose to invest in these strategies.
Read #OpenAccess: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
Read #OpenAccess: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
"Weak ties as a liability: The case of East Germany", 2001
June 26, 2025 at 4:22 PM
"Weak ties as a liability: The case of East Germany", 2001
As we’re waiting for Beate Völker’s #Sunbelt2025 @insna.bsky.social keynote on social capital in #SocialNetworks:
Her renowned paper w/ Flap on why in totalitarian regimes, people don’t feel united — even when they can rely on each other.
#ThrowbackThursday pick of today: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Her renowned paper w/ Flap on why in totalitarian regimes, people don’t feel united — even when they can rely on each other.
#ThrowbackThursday pick of today: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
June 26, 2025 at 2:25 PM
As we’re waiting for Beate Völker’s #Sunbelt2025 @insna.bsky.social keynote on social capital in #SocialNetworks:
Her renowned paper w/ Flap on why in totalitarian regimes, people don’t feel united — even when they can rely on each other.
#ThrowbackThursday pick of today: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
Her renowned paper w/ Flap on why in totalitarian regimes, people don’t feel united — even when they can rely on each other.
#ThrowbackThursday pick of today: doi.org/10.1177/1043...
POV: you’re a healthcare intern and #COVID strikes. Do you:
🏥 show up for your internship or
🏠 #stayhome?
@tteekens.bsky.social, Giardini & Wittek show how #SocialNorm beliefs affected Dutch students’ #DecisionMaking during #lockdown.
Read #OpenAccess: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@rug.nl
🏥 show up for your internship or
🏠 #stayhome?
@tteekens.bsky.social, Giardini & Wittek show how #SocialNorm beliefs affected Dutch students’ #DecisionMaking during #lockdown.
Read #OpenAccess: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@rug.nl
June 12, 2025 at 1:49 PM
POV: you’re a healthcare intern and #COVID strikes. Do you:
🏥 show up for your internship or
🏠 #stayhome?
@tteekens.bsky.social, Giardini & Wittek show how #SocialNorm beliefs affected Dutch students’ #DecisionMaking during #lockdown.
Read #OpenAccess: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@rug.nl
🏥 show up for your internship or
🏠 #stayhome?
@tteekens.bsky.social, Giardini & Wittek show how #SocialNorm beliefs affected Dutch students’ #DecisionMaking during #lockdown.
Read #OpenAccess: journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10....
@rug.nl