relationships Flashcards
Outline social exchange theory
How relationships form and develop, assumes that romantic partners act out of self-interest in exchanging rewards and costs. Relationship is maintained when rewards exceed profits an alternatives are less appealing than current relationship.
Rewards and costs in social exchange
o Net profit, minimise losses and maximise gains (minimal theory)
o Rewards and costs are subjective, what one person considers a huge cost someone else may view it as minor
Comparison level
o Amount of reward you think you deserve compared to costs, self esteem has an effect
o Informed by social norms
Comparison level for alternatives
o Consider whether we would get more rewards and fewer costs elsewhere
o Belief that you will stay in a relationship f you believe it is more rewarding than alternatives
What are the stages of relationship development (social exchange theory)
Sampling - explore costs and rewards of social exchange
Bargaining - partners start exchanging various costs and rewards, negotiating and identifying what is not possible
Commitment - sources of costs and rewards becomes more predictable as time goes on and relationship becomes more stable as costs lessen
Institutionalisation - partners are now settled in the relationship because the norms, in terms of rewards of costs and rewards, are firmly established
Outline the role of equity in relationships
Both partners’ level of profit needs to be similar otherwise one over benefits and one under benefits
Outline equity and equality in relationships
Ratio of rewards to costs is what matters, a high level of costs with a high level of rewards is seen as fair
What are the consequences of inequity
o Partner who is subject of inequity becomes distressed
o Applies to both the overbenefitted and underbenefitted partners as they both perceive inequity
o The more unfair a relationship is the harder they will work to restore equity for example once what was a cost would now be seen as the norm
What is a satisfying relationship according to Rusbult?
Many rewards and little costs, compares well with alternatives
What is investment size? Rusbult
Consider resources that have been put into a relationship which we would stand to lose if it broke down
What is satisfaction v commitment? Rusbult
Main psychological factor in maintaining relationships is commitment, this explains why dissatisfied partners don’t always leave
What are relationship maintenance mechanisms? Rusbult
Committed partners act to promote their relationship through accommodation and willingness to sacrifice, forgiveness etc.
Outline the intra-psychic phase of Duck’s model
Dissatisfied partner considers the dissatisfactions privately and possibly with close friends
Outline the dyadic phase of Ducks’ model
Both partners start talking about the relationship leading to arguments, negotiations etc.
Outline the social phase of Duck’s model
Partners involve their social circles in an attempt to save relationship and also for support
