SET

Question 1

SET assumes relationships are guided by the minimax principle

Answer 1

Social exchange theory (Thibaut and Kelly, 1959) suggests that relationships could be explained in terms of economics - an exchange of goods or less tangible things (e.g. favours)

Satisfaction is judged in terms of profit (the perceived value of costs minus the value of rewards)

Partners are motivated to minimise the costs to themselves whilst maximising rewards

Profitable relationships continue, unprofitable relationships fail

Question 2

Nature of costs and rewards

Answer 2

Costs may include loss of time or stress

Rewards may include sex, praise or companionship

Opportunity cost also needs to be accounted for (i.e. the recognition that investment in a given relationship is at the ‘cost’ of expending those resources elsewhere)

Question 3

CL is a measure of profit

Answer 3

Comparison level (CL) is a judgement of the reward level we believe we deserve in a relationship, determined by relationship experiences and social norms

We will generally. pursue a relationship where the CL is high but some people (e.g. with low self-esteem) may have low CLs

Question 4

CLalt is an additional measure of profit

Answer 4

Comparison levels for alternatives (CLalt) - we consider whether we might gain more rewards and endure fewer costs in a different relationship (or none)

We stay in a relationship, despite available alternatives, when we consider it is more rewarding than the alternative

If relationship is satisfying, alternatives not noticed

Question 5

CLalt depends on our current relationship

Answer 5

Duck (1994) suggests that there are always alternatives around

If the costs of our current relationship outweigh the rewards then alternatives become more attractive

Question 6

4 stages of relationships

Answer 6

Sampling stage involves exploring rewards and costs by experimenting in our relationships (not just romantic ones) and observing others

Bargaining stage occurs at start of a relationship where romantic partners negotiate around costs and rewards

Commitment stage is where relationships become more stable. Costs reduce and rewards increase

Institutionalisation stage is when partners become settled because the norms of the relationship are established

Question 7

Evaluation - Inappropriate assumptions underlying SET

Answer 7

SET assumes that all relationships are based on costs and rewards, profit and loss, constant monitoring of satisfaction

However, Clark and Mils (2011) argue that romantic relationships are not exchange - based but communal-based. Partners don’t ‘keep score’ (would question commitment if they did)

This suggests that quite a few relationships might not be exchange-based e.g. those where trust is a fundamental component

Question 8

Evaluation - Direction of cause and effect

Answer 8

SET claims that we become dissatisfied after we perceive costs outweigh rewards or alternatives seem more attractive

But Argyle (1987) argues dissatisfaction comes first, then we start to perceive costs and alternatives - committed partners don’t even notice alternatives

Considering costs/alternatives is caused by dissatisfaction rather than the reverse - a direction not predicted by SET

Question 9

Evaluation + Evidence to support

Answer 9

Kurdeck (1995) interviewed homo- and heterosexual couples, committed partners perceived they had most rewards and fewer costs and also viewed alternatives as unattractive

The study also showed the main SET concepts predicting commitment are independent of each other (so they have an effect individually)

Confirmed predictions of SET, supporting the validity of the theory in both same-sex and heterosexual relationships

Question 10

Evaluation - SET ignores equity

Answer 10

Studies into SET (including Kurdek’s) ignore the role of equity. What matters in a romantic relationship is not the balance of rewards and costs but the partners’ perceptions that this is fair

SET is limited as it cannot account for a significant proportion of research findings that confirm the importance of equity

Question 11

Evaluation - SET concepts are vague

Answer 11

Unlike in research, real-world rewards/costs are subjective and hard to define because they vary, e.g. ‘having your partner’s loyalty’ is not rewarding for everyone

Also comparison levels are problematic - its unclear what the values of CL and CLalt need to be before individuals feel dissatisfied

SET is difficult to test in a valid way

Question 12

Evaluation - Artificial Research

Question 13

Evaluation + RLA