Family Policy:
The Rational Choice Framework
Zimmerman, S. L. (1995). The
rational choice framework. In S. L.
Zimmerman, Understanding family
policy (2nd ed., pp. 104-118). Thousand
Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Assumptions
 All values relevant to a situation are
known.
 The context of the choice is known and
understood. Context includes
 Social factors,
 economic factors,
 cultural factors,
 historical factors.
 The context determines the range of
alternatives that are considered in
selecting a course of action.
 Calculation of a net value ratio involves
application of the same values and
principles to each alternative to its
consequences.
 Choice is based on the highest net value
ratio.
 Choices require sacrifices from some
people.
Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson
Alternative Health Care Reform
Strategies and their Goals
 Options:
 The single payer approach: one entity such as
the federal government would be the insurer.
 Multiple payer approach: combination of
private and government insurance.
 State-based reform: states implement their
own approach to insurance reform.
 Continuation of existing arrangements.
 Evaluation Process:
 A “citizens jury” was selected to evaluate the
options. This includes 24 people randomly
selected.
 This jury recommended the single payer
approach because it had the highest net value
ratio based on universal access,
comprehensiveness of benefits, cost
containment, individual rights, equitable
treatment, administrative simplicity.
 Government officials ignored this
recommendation and pursued a multiple payer
approach.
Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson
Critiquing the Rational Choice
Model
 There are limits to the resources
available for collecting information to
analyze.
 Information is not always used: it is often
actively ignored.
 Personal and professional motivation
may impair rational choice.
 Some alternatives are ambiguous or
outcomes are unknown.
Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson
Discussion Questions
 What are the implications of a rational
choice approach to family policy?
 How do you make decisions? Critique
the assumptions of the rational choice
framework.
 What is a net value ratio?
Dr. Ronald J. Werner-Wilson