Rational Choice Theory and Religion considers one of the major developments in the social scientific paradigms that promises to foster a greater theoretical unity among the disciplines of sociology, political science, economics and psychology. Applying the theory of rational choice--the theory that each individual will make her choice to maximize gain and minimize cost--to the study of religion, Lawrence Young has brought together a group of internationally renowned scholars to examine this important development within the field of religion for the first time.

The collection of essays addresses why it is that individuals are drawn to a religion. Using economic models from which rational choice theory was orignally derived, the contributors find that an individual's religious choice has as much to do with an individual's demand for religous meaning as it does with the plurality of religions one can choose from. The more religions, they contend, the more likely it is the people will believe in one or more of the religions available.

With rational choice's capacity to consider the broadest range of issues surrouding religious choice and belief, Rational Choice Theory and Religion makes a salient contribution to the sociological study of religion, as it promises to replace other dominant paradigms in the field, such as as secularization.

Contributors: Rodney Stark, Roger Finke, Darren Sherkat, R. Stephen Warner, Mary Jo Neitz, Nancy T. Ammerman, Lawrence A. Young, Michael Hechter, Randall Collins.

Lawrence A.Young is Associate Professor of Sociology at Brigham Young University.