Die Definition der Situation und die variable Rationalität der Akteure. Ein allgemeines Modell des Handelns auf der Basis von Hartmut Essers Frame-Selektionstheorie

The article presents a general model of action based on Hartmut Esser' s theory of frame-selection, which overcomes the central objections to the previous formalizations of the theory. This model explains how an actor defines a situation (frame-selection), which program of action he activates (script-selection) and which action he is willing to perform (action-selection). Proceeding from the assumption that the rationality of actors is variable, it goes on to specify the conditions under which an actor will consciously choose that alternative, which will maximize his subjective expected utility (reflecting-calculating mode), as opposed to those under which he will select without any prior reflection a mentally strongly accessible alternative (automatic-spontaneous mode). Thus the attempt is made to integrate concepts of action from sociology, economics and social psychology into a general and formally precise theory of action.