bounded rationality

noun

A model of human behaviour which states that individuals often make decisions that are merely adequate rather than optimal.

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Meanings

nounbounded rationality (uncountable)
  1. uncountablehuman sciencesA model of human behaviour which states that individuals often make decisions that are merely adequate rather than optimal.

Origin

Coined by American political scientist Herbert A. Simon.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish rajoittunut rationaalisuus, rajoitettu rationaalisuus
  • rajoittunut rationaalisuusTranslations
  • rajoitettu rationaalisuusTranslations
Polish ograniczona racjonalność
  • ograniczona racjonalnośćTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

bounded rationality. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bounded%20rationality

MLA

“bounded rationality.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bounded%20rationality. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “bounded rationality,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bounded%20rationality.

Source: bounded rationality on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.