Relationships: Social Exchange Theory Ao1

Question 1

Social ex theory is a what theory and has links to what behavourist concept

Answer 1

Economic theory
Operant conditioning

Question 2

who put set forward

Answer 2

thibault and kelly

Question 3

We form a relationship if its…
We maximise…
Equation…..
We commit if outcome is …..

Answer 3

• We form a relationship if it is rewarding - seek an exchange
• We attempt to maximise our rewards and minimise our costs
• The rewards minus the costs equals the outcome
• We commit to the relationship if the outcome is profitable

Question 4

Equation for social exchange

Answer 4

Rewards - Cost = Outcome

Question 5

Social exchange theory is ….

Answer 5

• Assumes that people try to maximise the rewards they obtain from a relationship and minimise the costs.
• The exchange comes from the assumption that when people receive rewards from others they feel obliged to reciprocate
  (Minimax principle )

Question 6

Rewards in social exchange

Answer 6

Companionship
Sex
emotional support
rewards diff for everyone and may change over the course of a relationship

Question 7

Costs

Answer 7

Missed opportunity - youve invested in A so you cant invest in B
Time
Money
comprimise

Question 8

4 stage model of long term relationships

Answer 8

Sampling
Bargaining
Commitment
Institutionalisation

Question 9

Describe sampling

Answer 9

We consider the potential rewards and costs of a relationship
by experimenting and observing others.

Question 10

Describe bargaining

Answer 10

We give and receive rewards to test whether a deeper relationship is worth while

Question 11

Commitment

Answer 11

The relationship increases in predictability so each partner knows how to elicit rewards from the other which lowers the cost

Question 12

Institutionalisation

Answer 12

Relationship norms dev
Establishes patterns and rewards and costs for each partner

Question 13

Equation

Answer 13

Reward - cost = outcome

Question 14

2 factors added later

Answer 14

Comparison levels
Comparison levels for alternatives

Question 15

Comparison level

Answer 15

• How satisfied individuals are with the reward and costs depends on what they have come to expect from previous relationships along w social and cultural norms reinforced by books films etc
• comparison level heavily linked to self esteem
• If the current relationship is equal or better than past relationships we are motivated to stay in the relationship.

Question 16

Comparison level for alternatives

Answer 16

• The level of satisfaction also depends on the rewards and costs that would be involved if they formed a relationship with someone else eg could i get more profit w less cost

Question 17

Comparison level for alternatives - ppl are more likley to stay in relationships if they believe …

Answer 17

that the relationship is more profitable than the alternatives

Question 18

Social exchange theory has good ……. Validity

Answer 18

Face validity

Question 19

duck 1994 said

Answer 19

there are always alternatives
if costs of our current relationship outweighs reward that alt becomes more attractive
but if we are in a satisfying relationship we wont even notice alternatives