RREEMM model
The RREEMM model supplements the human model of the classic homo oeconomicus with the restrictions imposed by the human condition , the natural requirements to which all action is subject. The acronym "RREEMM" stands for R esourceful- R estricted- E valuating- E xpecting- M aximizing- M on . The model was designed by the German-Dutch sociologist Siegwart Lindenberg developed and the basic concept of "REMM" (is R esourceful- E valuative- M aximizing- model ) by Michael C. Jensen and William H. Meckling related.
Model of homo oeconomicus as a starting point
The model of homo economicus is in economics and also in the Rational Choice Theory ( theory of rational choice ) for social sciences used successfully theories. It is a purely analytical model that does not make any statements about the true nature of humans. The Homo Oeconomicus is defined as an actor who acts rationally , maximizes his individual benefit , knows his order of preferences and has consistently arranged according to importance, has all the necessary information and has time to evaluate it in order to find out what is necessary for him (and his 'loved ones') to make the most advantageous decision. With this model, social phenomena can be investigated that take place under situation conditions in which people behave in an approximately consequence-oriented manner (e.g. on the stock exchange, the world of work). In the vast majority of situations (e.g. voting decisions), however, this model is inadequate to explain human behavior.
Additional conditions through the human condition
In order to obtain a general theory of action , the simplistic homo oeconomicus model must be supplemented by real, socio-psychological assumptions. These include the assumptions about the human condition (ie conditions that restrict human options for action).
In addition to natural restrictions (e.g. physical and psychological abilities, limited lifespan, basic needs such as food, shelter), the human condition also includes social restrictions . As a social being, man is dependent on the community , which is able to protect him from external threats and offers him criteria for choosing from the confusion of possible courses of action ( custom , morality , tradition , legal norms ).
It is often plausible to ascribe two basic needs to the real actors, which guide the actors' actions in the sense of expected utility theory : well-being in physical and psychological terms and social recognition . Social recognition can be achieved in feudal societies through honor , in agrarian societies through land, and in capitalist societies through material wealth.
In the context of expected utility theory, humans also have the costs of obtaining , absorbing and evaluating information . He will only spend these costs if he expects to gain advantages through being better informed. Under the conditions of the human condition, such as a lack of time and money, one will only estimate the manageable, short-term consequences for oneself in order to decide on an option for action. A consistent order of one's own interests and thus a 'genuinely' rational decision is generally not given under the conditions of the human condition . In view of the ever scarce resources in reality, such behavior, which is primarily self-interested, is the evolutionarily successful strategy. Under this human model, collective social phenomena are mostly non-intentional products and consequences of short-term and short-sighted self-interest-oriented human actions.
RREEMM as a “more realistic” homo oeconomicus model
Taking these environmental conditions of human life into account, Lindenberg's RREEMM model results. This modeled individual actor ( man ) is subject to restrictions in his options for action ( restricted ), but has his own action resources and knows how to use them resourcefully . He can not 'objective' from the unknown to him out events, but has to rely on a subjective estimate ( expecting ) to evaluate the options for action in terms of its ultimate goals ( Evaluating ), and then to decide so that its expectable overall benefit is maximized ( maximizing ).
A RREEMM will only invest as much time and money in a decision as is worthwhile due to the importance of the upcoming decision. As a rule, he will therefore follow decision-making aids such as legal norms and tradition or the opinion of "experts" who are considered trustworthy, since non- conforming behavior usually entails costs ( sanctions ). However, a RREEMM is quite able to circumvent action restrictions if it expects advantages to be gained.
literature
- Siegwart Lindenberg (1985): An assessment of the new political economy: Its potential for the social sciences and for sociology in particular . In Sociological Theory, Vol. 3, pp. 99-114
- G. Endruweit, G. Trommsdorff: Dictionary of Sociology . 2nd edition, Stuttgart 2002.
- Hartmut Esser: Sociology - General Basics . 3rd edition, Frankfurt / New York 1999.
- Bruno S. Frey: Economics is social science - the application of economics to new areas . Munich 1990.
- W. Fuchs-Heinritz, R. Lautmann, O. Rammstedt, H. Wienhold: Lexicon for sociology . 3rd edition, Opladen 1994.
- Annette Schmitt: Conditions for fair action . Wiesbaden 2005.