Relationships(theories of relationships - social exchange theory)

Question 1

Social exchange theory - Brief

Answer 1

The likelihood of a person staying in a relationship is determined by an assessment of what they get out of a relationship compared to what they put in a relationship. Compares of what they expect and what they might achieve.

Question 2

Profit and loss -

Answer 2

Assumption that all social behaviour is seen as a series of exchanges. Where individuals attempt to maximise their rewards and reduce their costs. Rewards in a relationship may involve companionship, being cared for, gifts and sex. Costs may include effort, finical investment and time wasted.

Rewards - Costs = outcome (profit or loss)

Question 3

Comparison level

Answer 3

To determine if someone offers something better or worse we develop a comparison level. It’s a product of our experiences in other relationships together with our general views of what we might expect from this particular exchange.

Question 4

Jurdek and Schmitt study - (1986) procedure -

Answer 4

Investigated the importance of social exchange theory in the importance of relationship quality.
- 185 couples
- 44 heterosexual married couples
- 35 co-habiting heterosexual couples
- 50 same-sex male couples
- 56 same-sex female couples
- Each couple lived together with no kids
-Each couple completed a questionnaire without discussing their answers.

Question 5

Jurdek and Schmitt study - (1986) - findings

Answer 5

For each of the 4 different types of couples, greater relationship status was associated with:
- The perception of many benefits of the current relationship
- seeing current alternatives to the current situation as less attractive
Show that the factors that predict satisfaction in relationships are the same across all types of relationships (gay, bisexual)

Question 6

Problems of determining costs and effects -

Answer 6

Problems may occur of what is classes as a reward or cost. What might be considered rewarding to one person (constant attention and praise) may be seen as punishment to the next (constantly irritating). Also what may be perceived as rewarding at one stage in the relationship may be seen as a cost at another juncture. Suggesting it is difficult to classify all events into either costs or benefits as there are individual differences on how real life people class them.

Question 7

Moghaddam cultural validity -

Answer 7

Suggest that economic theories such as social exchange theory, can only be applied to the western world where personal profit is valued. The theory assumes that everyone has a choice and it is o temporary nature, such theories may not apply to non-western cultures.