Relationships- Theories of romantic relationships: Social exchange theory Flashcards
Social exchange theory -
A theory of how relationships form and develop. It assumes that romantic partners act out of self-interest in exchanging rewards and costs. A satisfying and committed relationship is maintained when rewards exceed costs and potential alternatives are less attractive than the current relationship.
What is social exchange theory (SET)?
Social exchange theory, proposed by Thibault and Kelley (1959), suggests that behavior in relationships is based on maximizing rewards and minimizing costs. Relationships are judged by the profit they yield, calculated as rewards minus costs.
What are rewards and costs in SET?
Rewards are positive outcomes like companionship, emotional support, and intimacy, while costs include negative aspects like stress, time, energy, and compromises. Opportunity costs, such as the inability to invest in other relationships, are also considered.
What is the minimax principle in SET?
The minimax principle states that individuals aim to maximize rewards and minimize costs in relationships to achieve the greatest possible profit.
What is the comparison level (CL) in SET?
The comparison level (CL) is the standard for what individuals believe they deserve in a relationship, based on past experiences and social norms. It determines whether a relationship is satisfying or worth pursuing.
What are the four stages of relationship development in SET?
The four stages are:
1. Sampling stage: Exploring rewards and costs through personal experiences or observing others.
2. Bargaining stage: Negotiating rewards and costs at the beginning of a relationship.
3. Commitment stage: Increased predictability and stability as rewards grow and costs lessen.
4. Institutionalisation stage: Established norms in the relationship, making it more settled.
What is the comparison level for alternatives (CLalt) in SET?
The comparison level for alternatives (CLalt) measures whether individuals believe they could gain greater rewards and fewer costs from another relationship or being alone. People stay in a relationship only if it is more rewarding than the alternatives.
What is a limitation of SET regarding relationship types?
SET fails to distinguish between exchange relationships (e.g., work colleagues) and communal relationships (e.g., romantic partners). In communal relationships, rewards are given without keeping score, which SET does not account for.
What is the direction of cause and effect issue in SET?
SET assumes that dissatisfaction arises when costs outweigh rewards or alternatives seem more attractive. However, research shows that dissatisfaction often comes first, leading individuals to notice costs and alternatives, not the other way around.
How does SET ignore equity?
SET focuses on the balance of rewards and costs but ignores the importance of fairness or equity in relationships. Equity theory addresses this limitation by emphasizing the role of fairness in relationship satisfaction.
What did Rowland Miller (1997) find about committed relationships?
Miller found that individuals in highly committed relationships spent less time looking at images of attractive people. This suggests that committed partners ignore alternatives, which SET cannot fully explain.
What is a limitation of SET regarding measurement?
SET concepts like rewards, costs, CL, and CLalt are difficult to quantify, especially psychological rewards and costs. Artificial research tasks used to study SET may not reflect real-life relationships, limiting the theory’s validity.
What did Clark and Mills (2011) argue about SET?
Clark and Mills argued that SET does not account for communal relationships, where partners give and receive rewards without keeping score. This limits SET’s applicability to romantic relationships.
What is the issue with artificial research in SET?
Many studies supporting SET use artificial tasks with strangers, which do not reflect real relationships. This limits the theory’s ability to explain properties like trust that develop over time in real relationships.
How does SET’s focus on rewards and costs limit its explanation of relationships?
SET’s focus on rewards and costs ignores other important factors like equity, fairness, and emotional connection, making it a limited explanation for relationship dynamics.
What is the significance of opportunity costs in SET?
Opportunity costs refer to the resources (time, energy) invested in a current relationship that cannot be used elsewhere. This concept highlights the trade-offs individuals make in relationships.
What is the role of social norms in the comparison level (CL)?
Social norms influence the CL by shaping expectations about what constitutes a reasonable level of reward in a relationship. Media and cultural influences also play a role in setting these norms.
How does SET explain the institutionalisation stage of relationships?
In the institutionalisation stage, norms for rewards and costs are firmly established, making the relationship more stable and predictable. Partners are settled and committed to maintaining the relationship.
What is the problem with SET’s assumption of constant monitoring of rewards and costs?
SET assumes that partners constantly monitor rewards and costs, but in communal relationships, this monitoring is absent. Partners give and receive rewards without keeping score, which SET does not account for.
What is the significance of the bargaining stage in SET?
The bargaining stage involves negotiating rewards and costs at the beginning of a relationship. This stage helps partners identify what is most profitable and sets the foundation for future exchanges.
How does SET’s economic metaphor limit its applicability to romantic relationships?
The economic metaphor of SET assumes that relationships are transactional, which does not align with the emotional and communal aspects of romantic relationships. This limits the theory’s ability to explain complex relationship dynamics.
