Read the sample breach letter “SAMPLE DATA BREACH NOTIFICATION” and describe how two different economics theories and two different social sciences theories relate to the letter.


Economic Theory
Rational Choice theory and Keynesian Economic Theory can be related to this letter. Rational choice theory states that individuals make decisions in their best interest. With respect to the letter, the company decided to let customers know about the incident and about what they can do to protect their information. This in turn allows the customer to decide how they would like to proceed in a way that would be most beneficial to them. The Keynesian Economic Theory is the thought that government intervention can stabilize the economy. In this case there was a delay in the notification to the customers which was needed so that the government could stabilize the incident and recover respective evidence.

Social Sciences Theory
Labeling theory and Conformity theory are social science theories that can be applied to this letter. Labeling theory is the theory that how someone identifies and the behavior of an individual may be determined or influenced by terms used to classify them. In the letter the customers are labeled as possible victims of identity theft/fraud. This would make them react to the letter in a way that would most likely protect their assets. Conformity is the act of matching attitudes and behaviors to group norms. In this letter everyone is being addressed at one time, collectively. This in turn may influence them to conform to a particular behavior in response.