Exam 2 Flashcards
Define social exchange theory
Relationships are an economic exchange of rewards and costs that lead to various outcomes. We want the best possible outcome for ourselves.
differences between costs and rewards
Costs- punishing or undesirable experiences within the relationship. Ex: money issues, negative physical punishment, psychological burdens etc.
Rewards- gratifying experiences and commodities within relationship. Differ based on preferences (culture). Ex: love, affection, sex, etc.
difference between a comparison level and a comparison level for alternatives
A comparison level is what you think you deserve.
A comparison level for alternatives is what you think you could get elsewhere (i.e. new partner).
Based on our expectations, when are people most satisfied in relationships?
People are often satisfied/happy if the outcomes exceed or far surpass comparison level (receiving more than the minimum expected payoff).
Based on our expectations, when are people least satisfied in relationships
People are often dissatisfied if outcomes fall below comparison level (receiving less than the minimum expected payoff).
**Matters more what your personal expectations are.
What is a person’s investment level
how many resources someone has placed in a relationship. It includes both tangible and intangible things that might be lost if a relationship ends like money, sex, affection, effort. Harder to end relationship with more investments.
how does investment level relate to relationship stability?
CLalt+Relationshipsatisfaction –>Dependence (barriers and investments) –> relationship stability
Approach motivation
approach exchanges by pursuing pleasure and desirable experiences. Related to positive emotions. Want to be happy.
Avoidance motivation
Approach exchanges by trying to escape punishment, pain, or avoid negative experiences. Reduces anxiety and fear.
Can approach and avoidance motivations overlap?
Function as two independent mechanisms, however, could be where you seek out physical affection but avoid verbal arguments.
Define an equitable relationship.
Relationships that are built on a standard of fair exchanges or proportional justice. Each partner’s benefits are equal to their contributions. This is the most satisfying relationship type. People are motivated to maintain equity- perceived equity is important.
What is the investment model of relationships?
Increased life satisfaction and investment size and decreased quality of alternatives, there is a higher commitment level, which contributes to Relationship Maintenance Mechanisms like accommodation, willingness to sacrifice, and perceived superiority.
maintenance behaviors
Accommodating behaviors, willingness to sacrifice, and perceived superiority
Accommodating behaviors
tolerating negative behavior to calm a situation and not make it worse; not fighting back. Healthy if both partners do it, but unhealthy if one partner is always accommodating.
Willingness to sacrifice
giving up own self-interests for the good of the relationship; doing things you wouldn’t do on your own. Harmful if one partner is sacrificing all the time.
Perceived superiority
belief that even if a relationship is troubled, it is better than others, or has more reward.
Define friendship.
Voluntary, personal relationship typically providing intimacy and assistance in which two parties like one another and seek the other’s company. Friendships must be mutual and voluntary, but power imbalances may alter beneficial outcomes.
Why do friendships matter?
They are important for forming or maintaining romantic relationships. They introduce potential partners, approve, or disapprove of partners. Having happy friends can also increase self-happiness- also associated with better physical and mental health (optimism, self-esteem).
Explain one difference between friendships and romance/love.
Friendship- less confining, easier to dissolve, fewer expressions of positive emotion, typically no sexual intimacy
Love- more complex and exclusive, includes fascination (preoccupation with partner) and sexual desire, more stringent standards (exclusive), more expressions of positivity.
List and define the main elements of friendship.
Affective- sharing thoughts and feelings, providing emotional support, etc.
Communal- common activities, interests and values, giving and receiving practice/instrumental assistance.
Sociable- provides fun and recreation. Impacted people a lot during COVID.
Respect- Valuing each other’s talents and judgements. More respect-more satisfying relationship.
Trust-Confidence that a friend will behavior benevolently toward us. Take our best interests into account. Allows people to relax and be comfortable.
Capitalization-Responding eagerly and energetically to our good news. More capitalization-more satisfaction and longer friendships. Genuine positivity, not masking.
Social Support- Things we get from friends that help us through difficult times (affection, advice, material assistance). More social support-more relationship satisfaction and personal well-being. Support receivers feel closer to support givers and vice versa. (exception when only one is giving support).
List and define the four main types of social support.
1) Emotional-affection, acceptance, reassurance, respect. Many positive psychological benefits like help mental illness, increase optimism. Opposite of these impacts occur if you only share negatives, however.
2) Physical comfort- positive physical affection. Positive mental health benefits
3) Advice- information and guidance. Recommendations on decisions.
4) Material- tangible assistance such as money or goods. Loaning money, cooking for someone, etc.
What are friendship rules?
Shared cultural beliefs about what behaviors friends should perform. Good friends are expected to follow the rules. They help friendships operate smoothly.
How do friendships differ across the lifespan?
Infancy- simple complementary and reciprocal interactions. Play is more associative and cooperative. Take pleasure in one another’s company.
Childhood- Able to take another’s perspective and understand points of view. Make-believe play and fair-weather cooperation (recognizing conflicts are more easily solved when both parties’ interests are served).
Adolescence- starts to take precedence over family. Turn to friends for satisfaction and attachment needs. Quality increases, quantity decreases.
Young adulthood- continued search for intimacy. Quality, not quantity. Friendships through major life transitions.
Midlife- dyadic withdrawal often due to life events like having kids. Number of friendships decrease.
Late adulthood- smaller social networks and fewer friends. Not unsociable, more selective.
Describe the main differences in same-gender male vs. female friendships.
Women-spend more time talking to friends, discuss personal and emotional issues, self-disclose, emotional support, more love and affection.
Men- shared activities, companionship, activities that are “fun,” discuss sports and interests, less explicit expressions of love and affection.
