Decision-Making and Social Action in the Social Studies / James A. Banks.

This paper delineates a process of rational decision-making and social action. To make a rational decision, the social actor must use concepts, generalizations and theories from the social sciences, knowledge which has high predictive value, and knowledge which constitutes the structures of the social science disciplines. He must also identify, form and clarify his values, as well as consider alternative values and their consequences. When a social actor acts intelligently to influence public policy, he has mastered knowledge related to the issue, clarified his values regarding it, and is acutely aware of the possible consequences of his actions and is willing to accept them. Action which does not satisfy these criteria is irrational. Thus, to keep our highly divided society from destructive polarization and total dehumaniziation, we must train students to act rationally to shape public policy. Since the school is a social institution with problems which mirror those of the larger society, students can be provided much practice in shaping public policy by working to eliminate problems in their classroom, school or school system. (Author/AWW)

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