social exchange theory.

Question 1

who proposed the social exchange theory.

Answer 1

thibault and Kelley.

Question 2

define the social exchange theory

Answer 2

a theory of how relationships form and develop. claiming that behaviour in relationships could be explained in terms of economics.

assumes that romantic partners act out of self interest in exchanging rewards and cost

Question 3

what dose relationships reflect

Answer 3

the economic assumptions of exchange.

Question 4

how is satisfaction judged

Answer 4

in terms of profit (the perceived value of costs minus the value of rewards).

Question 5

what is the minimax principle.

Answer 5

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

Question 6

example of a reward

Answer 6

sex, praise or companionship.

Question 7

example of a cost

Answer 7

loss of time or stress.

Question 8

what is opportunity cost

Answer 8

the investment of time and energy in your current relationship that then means those resources cannot be used elsewhere.

Question 9

who said relationships can be expensive.

Answer 9

Peter blau.

Question 10

what are the two ways we measure profit in romantic relationships

Answer 10

comparison levels and comparison level for alt

Question 11

what is comparison level

Answer 11

is a judgment of the reward level we believe we deserve in a relationship, determined by past relationship experiences and social norms.

Question 12

what sort of relationship would a person with high self esteem look for

Answer 12

relationship where the CL is high

Question 13

what are comparison levels influenced by.

Answer 13

social norms: books, films and tv.

Question 14

what would someone with a low CL be satisfied with

Answer 14

a relationship with a small amount of gain-profit.

Question 15

what is comparison level for alternatives

Answer 15

involves considering whether we might gain more rewards and endure fewer costs in a different relationship.

assuming that (as in most cultures) we can only select one partner.

Question 16

what sort of questions are asked during the comparison level for alt.

Answer 16

‘could I do better.’

Question 17

what dose social exchange theory say in realtion to the comparison level for alternatives

Answer 17

we will stay in a relationship along as we believe it is more rewarding than alternatives.

Question 18

who is the relationship research for comparison level for alt

Answer 18

Steve Duck.

Question 19

what did Duck (1991) say.

Answer 19

the Cat we adopt will depend on the state of our current relationship.

if the cost outweighs the reward then alternative options become more attractive.

But if we are in a satisfying relationship we may not even notice them.

Question 20

what are the four stages of relationship development

Answer 20

sampling stage

bargaining stage

commitment stage

institutionalisation stage

Question 21

what dose the sampling stage involve.

Answer 21

exploring rewards and costs by experimenting in relationships and observing others.

Question 22

what dose the bargaining stage involve.

Answer 22

occurs at the start of a relationship
partners start exchanging various rewards and costs, negotiation and identifying what they believe is most profitable.

Question 23

what dose the commitment stage involve

Answer 23

where relationships become more stable. Costs reduce and rewards increase.

Question 24

what dose the institutionalisation stage involve.

Answer 24

when partners become settled because the norms of the relationship are established.

Question 25

Strength of SET. (AO3)

Answer 25

research supporting some concepts- Kurdeck (1995)

interviewed homosexual and heterosexual couples.

Question 26

what did Kurdeck find in his study. (AO3)

Answer 26

committed partners perceived they had most rewards and fewest costs and also viewed alternatives as unattractive.

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

Question 27

Limitation of SET. (AO3)

Answer 27

issues with the direction of cause and effect - Argyle (1987)

we become dissatisfied after we perceive costs outweigh rewards or alternatives seem more attractive.

Question 28

what did argyle find in his study (AO3)

Answer 28

argues dissatisfaction comes first, then we start to perceive costs and alternatives. When we are satisfied with a relationship and committed to it, we do not even notice alternatives.

Question 29

Another limitation of SET (AO3)

Answer 29

concepts are vague and hard to quantify