RATIONALITY AND METHODS OF RESEARCH INTO CONSUMER MARKET BEHAVIOR

The issue of rationality of consumption and consumer behavior becomes more and more relevant in today’s economy. The objective of this article is to analyze the rationality of consumer behaviors in the market from the point of view of various economic schools, using classical methods as well as the concept of ecological rationality which is more akin to an institutional approach. The article also addresses important, selected aspects concerning certain approaches and methods used in research on rationality of consumer behaviors in the market. Particular attention is paid to the problem of rationality in methodology of empirical studies. The analysis of selected research approaches (i.e. predictive and postdictive approach) to the problem of rational choice and consumer behavior, considered from the point of view of both those approaches, makes for a summing-up of the article.