**L5 - Social exchange theory Flashcards
What type of theory is social exchange theory?
An ECONOMIC THEORY of ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS based on the idea that RELATIONSHIPS ARE LIKE A BUSINESS, where we MONITOR THE REWARDS and COSTS
what do we aim to get out of a relationship?
When considering relationships, we ALL WANT the MAXIMUM REWARDS and MINIMUM COSTS - we focus on GETTING MORE OUT than we PUT IN
what does the theory assume?
the THEORY ASSUMES that THOSE WHO OFFER REWARDS (FUN, ATTENTION, GIFTS) are ATTRACTIVE and THOSE WHO ARE PERCEIVED TO COST US are LESS ATTRACTIVE
what type of relationships succeed?
A RELATIONSHIP WILL SUCCEED if it is MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL in regards to its REWARDS and COSTS, whereas those that are IMBALANCED WILL FAIL
what is comparison level?
we constantly COMPARE OUR PRESENT RELATIONSHIP to our PREVIOUS RELATIONSHIPS - this is called the COMPARISON LEVEL, and we COMPARE OUR PRESENT PARTNER to POTENTIAL PARTNERS AROUND US TOO - this is called COMPARISON LEVEL FOR ALTERNATIVES
when do we start to look around at better alternative partners?
We begin to LOOK AROUND for a BETTER DEAL or BETTER ALTERNATIVE PARTNERS WHEN OUR CURRENT RELATIONSHIP is NO LONGER SATISFACTORY
+ GOTTMAN (EVALUATION OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY)
GOTTMAN FOUND EVIDENCE that SUPPORTS THE THEORY, he found INDVIDUALS in UNSUCCESSFUL MARRIAGES FREQUENTLY REPORT a LACK OF POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR EXCHANGES WITH THEIR PARTNER and an EXCESS OF NEGATIVE EXCHANGES.
In SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGES where the relationship is HEALTHY, the RATIO OF POSITIVE TO NEGATIVE EXCHANGES is 5:1 but in UNSUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS its 1:1
+ PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS (EVALUATION OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY)
This theory has PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS - INTEGRATED COUPLE THERAPY HELPS THE PARTNERS to BREAK NEGATIVE PATTERNS OF BEHAVIOUR and INCREASE POSITIVE EXCHANGES.
66% OF COUPLES REPORTED SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS in their relationship AFTER RECEIVING THIS FORM OF THERAPY
+ INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES (EVALUATION OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY)
this THEORY ACCOUNTS FOR INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES because DIFFERENT PEOPLE PERCEIVE REWARDS and COSTS DIFFERENTLY
- MOGHADDAM (EVALUATION OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY)
MOGHADDAM has CRITICISED THE SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY because it is MORE APPLICABLE to INDIVIDUALISTIC CULTURES than it is to COLLECTIVIST CULTURES.
The PERCEPTION OF REWARDS and COSTS MIGHT DIFFER GREATLY BETWEEN these DIFFERENT CULTURES, FAMILY VALUES and COMPATIBILITY might be MORE IMPORTANT in COLLECTIVIST CULTURES whereas GIFTS and ATTENTION might be MORE IMPORTANT in INDIVIDUALISTIC CULTURES
- MONITORING REWARDS AND COSTS (EVALUATION OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY)
CRITICS ARGUE that we ONLY MONITOR our relationship IN TERMS OF COSTS and REWARDS WHEN IT BECOMES DISSATISFYING, NOT CONSTANTLY as the THEORY SUGGESTS.
We ONLY LOOK AT COMPARISON LEVELS when we are ALREADY DISSATISFIED, NOT WHEN WE ARE HAPPY and the RELATIONSHIP IS HEALTHY
- ROOTED IN BEHAVIOURIST APPROACH (EVALUATION OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY)
the SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY is ROOTED in the BEHAVIOURIST APPROACH which means the MAINTENANCE of a RELATIONSHIP DEPENDS on REWARDS and OPERANT CONDITIONING.
But this DOES NOT EXPLAIN why SOME RELATIONSHIPS, have LITTLE REWARDS and LOTS OF COSTS, such as those relationships where there is a VICTIM OF DOMESTIC ABUSE, and they STILL CONTINUE.
This means that THERE MUST BE OTHER FACTORS INVOLVED - e.g are there ANY CHILDREN or ASSETS INVOLVED that make the BREAKUP/DIVORCE LESS FEASIBLE.
