Relationships - Theories of romantic relationships

Question 1

What is the social exchange theory?

Answer 1

• economic theory of romantic relationships based on the idea that relationships are like a “business”
  
  • rewards (fun, attention, esteem) and costs (time, emotional strain) are monitored

Question 2

According to social exchange theory, when will an individual find the relationship satisfying?

Answer 2

• when they have the maximum rewards and the minimum costs
• so individuals focus on getting out more than they put in

Question 3

What does the SE theory assume about those who offer rewards?

Answer 3

• they are considered attractive and those who offer more costs are less attractive
  
  • those who mutually benefit will succeed whereas those in imbalanced relationships will fail

Question 4

What is comparison level?

Answer 4

• where we compare our current relationship to previous relationships

Question 5

What is comparison level for alternatives?

Answer 5

• where we compare our current partner with those around us (potential partners)

Question 6

What are the strengths of the social exchange theory?

Answer 6

• research support:
  
  • Gottman (1992) found that individuals in unsuccessful marriages report a lack of positive behaviour exchanges and more negative exchanges (5:1 = successful, 1:1 = unsuccessful)
• practical applications:
  
  • Jacobson introduced integrated couples therapy to help break negative patterns of behaviours/exchanges and increase positive exchanges
  • 66% of couples reported significant improvements after receiving this therapy
• individual differences:
  
  • different people perceive rewards and costs differently so this theory accounts for individual differences in attraction

Question 7

What are the weaknesses of the social exchange theory?

Answer 7

• cultural differences:
  
  • Moghaddam found that this applies to individualistic cultures more than collectivist cultures
  • costs and rewards differ in other cultures (family values are more important in collectivist cultures)
• criticism against idea of monitoring rewards and costs:
  
  • critics believe that these are only monitored once relationship becomes dissatisfying
  • comparison levels are only looked at when the relationship fails
• rooted in behaviourist approach:
  
  • focus of relationship maintenance is about rewards and operant conditioning
  • ** some have very little rewards but many costs, yet they still continue **

Question 8

What is the equity theory?

Answer 8

• economic theory model of relationships based on the idea of fairness
  
  • emphasises the need for each partner to experience a balance between costs/benefits

Question 9

What are the strengths of the equity theory?

Answer 9

• research support:
  
  • DeMaris studied 1500 couples and found that if women were under-benefitting then there would be a high risk of divorce
  • so equity and inequity are important factors in a relationship
• evidence from ancient origins:
  
  • Brogan found that female monkeys become angry if they were denied a prize for playing a game
  • especially after seeing another monkey win a prize
  • ideas of equity are rooted in our ancient origins

Question 10

What happens when there is an imbalance in the relationship?

Answer 10

• those who over-benefit and receive more rewards may feel more guilty
• those who under-benefit and receive less rewards may feel angry/sad
  
  • the imbalance ma be tolerated as Lon as both parties accept the situation

Question 11

What are the weaknesses of the equity theory?

Answer 11

• cultural differences: