Rational choice theory, also known as choice theory or rational action theory, is a framework for understanding and often formally modeling social and economic behavior. The basic premise of rational choice theory is that aggregate social behavior results from the behavior of individual actors, each of whom is making their own individual decisions.The theory is often used in conjunction with game theory to model situations in which multiple individuals are making decisions in pursuit of their own objectives. It has also been used to develop theories of social institutions, political behavior, and criminology.Rational choice theory has its roots in philosophy and economics, and was first developed as a formal theory by economists such as Gary Becker and Milton Friedman. The theory has since been extended and applied to other social sciences, such as sociology and political science.