Relationships: theory’s of romantic relationships Flashcards
What does SET suggest about relationships
That people assess their relationship based on profit using a cost-benefit analysis
What is Thibaut and Kelleys minimax strategy
people try to maximise the rewards they obtain from a relationship and minimise the costs
What is CL
judgement of how much profit an individual is receiving Compared to what they believe they deserve
This may be based on:
Self esteem
Past relationships
What is CL alt
refers to a person’s judgement of if they could be getting fewer costs and greater rewards from another, alternative relationship with another partner
This could be based on:
Chances to meet people in daily life
Chances to meet people in the future
What are the 4 stages of relationship development
1) sampling stage, where couples experiment with the potential costs and rewards
2) bargaining stage as negotiations of each partner’s role in the relationship occur
3) commitment stage where costs and rewards are established and become predictable
4) institutionalisation stage where the couple are settled and the norms of the relationship are heavily embedded.
What is the equity theory
costs and rewards between partners must be fair to provide satisfaction
What is under benefitting
When one partner had less rewards snd more costs then the other
They will feel dissatisfied due to resentment and anger
what is over benefitting
When one partner has higher rewards and lower costs than the other
They will feel dissatisfied due to guilt
How may someone in an inequitable relationship respond
either working hard to make the relationship more equitable, or by shifting their own perception of rewards and costs to justify the relationship continuing.
What 3 things affect relationship commitment
Satisfaction
Investment
Alternatives
What is satisfaction
To what extent the rewards of the relationship are felt by partners
What is investment
investments made in the relationship to date in terms of time, money, effort which would be lost if the relationship stopped.
What are alternatives
What you think you could get from other relationships based on satisfaction in current one and opportunity to meet new people
What is commitment
The desire to continue the relationship and stay in It
