Chapter 6: Intederpendency Flashcards
interdependency
exists when we need others and they need us to obtain valuable interpersonal rewards
assumption behind interdependency theories
we seek the most fulfilling relationships that are available to us
social exchange
the process by which people provide each other with benefits and rewards that the other wants
rewards
anything within an interaction that is desirable and welcome and that brings enjoyment or fulfillment to the recipient
costs
punishing, undesirable experiences
outcome
the net profit or loss a person encounters, all things considered
outcomes formula
Outcomes = rewards - costs
outcomes vs. expectations
Whether our outcomes are positive or negative isn’t as important as our expectations and perceptions.
comparison level
the value of outcomes that we’ve come to expect and believe we deserve in our dealings with others
what determines our comparison level?
our past experiences
interpreting CL
- If your outcomes fall above your CL, you’re happy
- If your outcomes fall below your CL, you’re unhappy
Comparison level for alternatives (CLalt)
he outcomes you’d receive by leaving your current relationship and moving to the best alternative partnership or situation you have available
CLalt determines
our dependence on our relationships (if we believe we’re doing as well as we possibly can, we depend on our partners and the greater the gap between our current outcomes and our poorer alternatives, the more dependent we are)
investments
the things one would lose if the relationship were to end
investments influence ____
how likely one is to stay in a relationship
what determines CLalt
what a person thinks it is
what is necessary for someone to influence your CLalt
you have to be aware of them
satisfaction vs. dependence
Satisfaction and dependence are correlated
dependence formula
Outcomes - CLalt = dependence or independence
4 types of relationships
- happy and stable
- unhappy but stable
- happy but unstable
- unhappy and unstable
happy and stable relationship
a person’s outcomes exceed their CL and CLalt, so they are content and unlikely to leave
unhappy but stable relationship
a person’s outcomes fall below their CLs, but are still higher than their CLalts, so they aren’t content but are unlikely to leave
happy but unstable relationship
a person’s CLalt is higher than their outcomes, but their CL is lower, so they’re satisfied but believe that they have more attractive outcomes somewhere else
unhappy and unstable relationship
a person’s outcomes are lower than both their CL and CLalt, so they are unsatisfied and likely to leave