Social Exchange Theory Flashcards
What is social,exchange their
An economic theory on romantic relationships based on the idea that relationships are like a business, whereby we monitor the rewards and the costs. We all want the maximum rewards from a relationship and the minimum costs. The theory proposes that individuals focus on getting more out than they can in. It assumes those who offer rewards are attractive and those who are perceived to involve great costs are less. Relationships that are mutually beneficial will succeed, but those that are imbalanced will not.
Strengths social exchange thwiaomd
+Gottman found evidence that supports. He found individuals in unsuccessful marriages frequently report a lack of positive behaviour exchanges with their partner, and an excess of negative exchanges. In successful marriages, the ratio of positive to negative exchanges is 5:1, but in unsuccessful marriages the ratio is 1:1
Has practical application. Integrated couples therapy helps partners break negative patterns of behaviour and to decreases negative exchanges, whilst increasing the positive
Weakness
Moghaddam criticised the social exchange theory as it is far more applicable to individualistic cultures than collectivist. The perceived costs and rewards of relationships might be very difficult from one culture to another. Family values n shi May be more important rewards in collectivist but in individualist cultures it may be buying expensive presents
Critics of this theory disagree with the idea that people spend a great deal of time monitoring the costs and rewards of their relationship. And that this on,y happens when the relationship becomes dissatisfying. E.g. we only look at comparison levels in a relationship when we are already dissatisfied, not when happy
This theory is rooted in the behaviourist approach whereby the focus of the relationship maintenance is about rewards and operant conditioning. However some relationships have little rewards but many costs, but it still continues
What are comparison levels
A reference level we have to examine our present relationships to previous relationships we have had, and compare them in terms of rewards or costs. The present relationship should always have higher rewards and less costs then the prior relationship so that the present relationship is seen as successful. Comparison levels will be low if the old relationship had high costs and low rewards.
What is comparison level for alternatives
A person will compare their present partner with people around them, for a better deal, who they could potentially have a relationship with. If the person feels their partner offers high rewards and low costs, then it is likely the relationship will be successful. However if person feels there is a high benefit in switching partner, CL.alt will be high
What was the procedure for Kurdek and Schmitt
They investigated 4 types of couples
-44 married heterosexual couples
-35 cohabiting heterosexual couples
-50 same sex male couples
-56 same sex female couples
Each couple also had no children. Each person had to answer a questionnaire and were not allowed to discuss with their partner about their thoughts on the relationship
What were the findings of Kurdek and Schmitt’s work
Greatest relationship satisfaction was present in
- having many rewards from their current relationship compared to their older ones.
- there was not many alternatives for them to compare their current relationship to and if there were CL.alt was very low.
Therefore in heterosexual and homosexual relationships, the same factors predict satisfaction
