Social exchange theory Flashcards
Outline the social exchange theory.
The social exchange theory explains how relationships form and develop and assumes that romantic partners act out of self-interest in exchange for rewards and costs.
Thibult and Kelly decided that behaviour in relationships reflects the economic assumptions of exchange. We judge our satisfaction with a relationship in terms of the profit it yields. companionship, fun, friendship and emotional support.
What does profit mean in the context of the social exchange theory?
The rewards minus the costs.
Examples of rewards in a relationship.
companionship, fun, friendship and emotional support.
Examples of costs in a relationship
Having to spend money, time and effort on a relationship.
What are the two ways we measure profit in romantic relationships?
Comparison level
Comparison level for alternatives
Define comparison level.
Comparison level is the amount of reward you believe you deserve to get.
What is comparison level based on?
Develops out of past experiences such as previous relationships and social norms. Comparison levels may change over time as we have more relationships and experience more social norms. We consider a relationship worth pursuing if our comparison level is high.
What will someones comparison level be if they have low self esteem?
Someone with low self-esteem will have a low comparison level and will therefore be satisfied with just gaining a small profit (or even loss) from a relationship.
What is comparison level for alternatives?
This is the idea that we could gain greater rewards and fewer costs from another relationship than their current one. Social exchange theory suggests that we will stay in our current relationship only so long as we believe it is more rewarding than the alternatives. If the costs of our relationship outweigh the benefits, then alternatives become more attractive. Being in a satisfying relationship means that you may not even notice other alternatives that are available.
Give a limitation of the social exchange theory. (innapropriate assumptions underlying social exchange theory).
Many researchers do not accept the underlying metaphor of the Social Exchange theory. For example, Clark and Mills argue the theory fails to distinguish between romantic and non-romantic relationships. They say that, exchange relationships such as co-workers do involve social exchange but communal (romantic) relationships are not marked by keeping score of who is ahead or behind. The Social exchange theory claims that partners return rewards for rewards and costs for costs, but if we felt this kind of exchange monitoring at the start of a relationship, we would probably question the commitment our partner wanted. The social exchange theory is therefore based on faulty assumptions and therefore cannot account for the majority of romantic relationships.
Give a limitation of the social exchange theory- direction of cause and effect.
The social exchange theory sets in when we suspect that costs outweigh the benefits of alternatives are more attractive. However, Argyle points out that we don’t measure costs and rewards in a relationship or measure the attractiveness of alternatives until we are dissatisfied with the relationship. For example, Miller found that people who rated themselves as being in a highly committed relationship spent less time looking at images of attractive people. People in committed relationships ignore even the most attractive alternatives so the social exchange theory cannot account for the direction of causation in this outcome.
Give a limitation of the social exchange theory (ignores equity).
The Social exchange theory ignores equity. There is much research support for the role of equity in relationships, and the view that this is more important than just the balance of rewards and costs. Neglect of this factor means that the Social exchange theory is a limited explanation which cannot account for a significant proportion of the research findings on relationships.
Give a limitation of the social exchange theory (methodological issues)
The majority of studies supporting the Social exchange theory use artificial tasks in artificial conditions. For example, a common procedure involves two strangers working together on a game-playing scenario in which rewards and cost are distributed. The two ‘partners’ know nothing about each other and their so-called ‘relationship’ depends entirely on the task they are performing together. More realistic studies sing participants in real relationships, have been less supportive of the Social exchange theory.
