Maintenance

Question 1

Give the two theories of relationship maintenance.

Answer 1

1. Social exchange theory.

2. Equity theory.

Question 2

Describe social exchange theory, there are 3 points.

Answer 2

1. We weigh up the pros and cons as rewards and costs.
2. A relationship must be mutually exclusive for it to be successful.
3. The current relationship must beat our comparison levels and our comparison level for our alternatives for us to be satisfied.

Question 3

Give a study in support of social exchange theory.

Answer 3

Floyd (1994)

- Relationship are committed if those involved feel the relationship is equal, and there are no better alternatives.

Question 4

Give a positive IDA point of social exchange theory.

Answer 4

Practical application

- Marriage counselors can develop equality to encourage relationship success.

Question 5

Give one study against social exchange theory.

Answer 5

Clarke and Mills (1979)
- Distinguished between communal relationships (no reward expected) and exchange relationships. SET only considers the latter.

Question 6

Give two negative IDA points of social exchange theory.

Answer 6

Cultural bias
- Capitalist theory not necessarily useful for collectivist cultures.
Over-simplification
- Ignores aspects such as altruism.

Question 7

Describe equity theory, there are 3 points.

Answer 7

1. Relationship input and output must be equitable for a relationship to be successful.
2. Over-gratification leads to guilt.
3. Under-gratification leads to resentment.

Question 8

Give two supporting studies for equity theory.

What do they both have in common?

Answer 8

Van Yperen & Buunk (1990)
- Those who felt relationships were equitable reported both the most satisfied.
Hatfield (1972)
- Those who felt the relationship with inequitable were most likely to have broken up after 3 months.
S: Both are longitudinal.

Question 9

Give two negative IDA points of equity theory.

Both have a study attached.

Answer 9

Gender differences
- Kahn (1980) found men put emphasis on equality, whilst women prefer equity. There is a Beta-bias.
Cultural differences
- Aumer-Ryan and Hatfield (2007) found Jamaica (collectivist) rated over-gratification highly. Hawaii (individualist) did not. Cannot therefore generalise to all cultures.