Maintenance Flashcards
What are theories relating to the maintenance of relationships also known as?
Economic theories
What are economic theories of the maintenance of relationships?
They are based on principles of operant conditioning which suggest we form and maintain relationships as they are rewarding
Who came up with the social exchange theory?
Thibaut & Kelley (1959)
Outline social exchange theory
Relationships provide rewards and costs and we try to maximise rewards and minimise costs as the outcome is the rewards minus the costs, which is what satisfaction depends on - comparison level
Name the 2 theories for the maintenance of relationships
1) Social exchange theory
2) Equity theory
Name 2 rewards and 2 costs of relationships
1) Affection and emotional support
2) Providing support and time
According to the social exchange theory, what 2 things help to determine how satisfied individuals are and ultimately whether the relationship will continue?
1) The comparison level
2) The comparison level for alternatives
What is the comparison level?
The standard against which all our relationships are judged - represents the outcomes they believe they deserve on the basis of past experiences
What is the comparison level for alternatives?
The rewards and costs involved if they form a relationship with someone else
Name 2 research studies which support the social exchange theory
1) Rusbult & Martz (1995)
2) Simpson (1990)
Outline Rusbult & Martz (1995)
Used the social exchange theory to explain abusive relationships - if investments are high (like children and financial security) and alternatives are low (like nowhere to live and no money) - this is still a profit situation and thus women will often stay with an abusive partner
Outline Simpson (1990)
Suggested a way of dealing with the threat of potential alternatives is to reduce them as a means of protecting the relationship - asked ppts to rate members of the opposite sex in terms of attractiveness and found those in relationships gave lower ratings which provides support for the existence of a comparison level
Name 7 negative evaluative points about the social exchange theory
1) Does not explain why people leave relationships despite having no alternative
2) Assumes we spend a considerable amount of time monitoring relationships - Argyle & Duck
3) Moghaddam (1998)
4) Reductionist
5) Fails to take account of fairness in relationships leading to equity
6) Oversimplified
7) Selfish nature of theory
Outline Argyle & Duck
Stated and found they only consider alternatives once they’re dissatisfied with their own one
Outline Moghaddam (1998)
‘Economic’ theories only apply to short term, high mobility, Western relationships (for example uni students) so the model loses validity