relationships lessons 5-8 Flashcards
what is social exchange theory
the idea that we monitor rewards and costs of a relationship. we all want maximum rewards and minimum costs. those who involve great costs are less attractive. we compare present relationships to people around us.
evaluation of social exchange theory
Adv: gottman found that people in unsuccessful marriages report negative exchanges with their partner. Different people perceive rewards and costs differently so accounts for individual differences
Dis: It is criticised as it is more applicable to individualistic cultures than collectivist. additionally evidence suggests we only look at rewards and costs if dissatisfied.
what is equity theory
Model based on fairness and the need to reach a balanced ratio between cost and rewards. If a partner over benefits they feel guilt and if they under benefit they feel angry.
evaluation of equity theory
adv: psychologist studies 1500 couples and found when women were under benefitting to a high level then there was a high risk of divorce. monkeys who were denied a prize for completing task and saw other monkeys getting prize without task threw food at experimenter.
Dis: more applicable to individualistic than collectivist as collectivist see family values as more important. research found it is not possible to assess equity and it can’t be easily measured.
what is investment model
Rusbult proposed investment acts as a deterrent to leaving a relationship. intrinsic investment is resources put directly into the relationship. extrinsic investment is resources arising from relationship.
evaluation of investment model
Adv: research of taiwanese and dutch students found high commitment levels in a relationship led to high satisfaction and investment size. explains why people stay in abusive relationships as the investment is too high.
Dis: criticised as it’s difficult to measure commitment, satisfaction and investment. gender differences as women tend to have more investment and commitment in a relationship.
what are the stages in ducks phase model of relationship breakdown
1) intra psychic processes: dissatisfied partner privately thinking about problems in relationship
2) dyadic processes: dissatisfied partner discusses with partner and they think about investments. they can talk about improving.
3) social processes: if there is a break up then it is made public to family and friends and alliances are formed.
4) grave dressing processes: as relationship dies mourning and justifying our actions occur. an account of the reason is made. making sure of social credit being high occurs.
evaluation of ducks phase model of relationship breakdown
Adv: a fifth model was made by duck called the resurrection phase where person engages in personal growth and prepares for new relationship. supported by social exchange theory as if costs are high and rewards are low then the relationship breaks down.
Dis: research found that those who did not initiate break up was miserable and lonely and the one who initiated it was least stressed and upset but guilty. can be overly simplistic as it reduces complex phenomenon to four simple stages.
