Social Exchange Theory^

Question 1

Theories of Romantic Relationships

Answer 1

all theories are examples of economic theories

Question 2

Thibault & Kelly

Answer 2

economic theory
considers how parties act out of self-interest and exchange rewards and costs

Question 3

Minimax Principle

Answer 3

try to minimise cost and maximise rewards
satisfying and committed relationship is maintain when rewards exceeds costs for both parties

Question 4

Rewards, Costs & Profit

Answer 4

rewards - cost = relationship satisfaction
rewards/costs are subjective
can vary between people/relationships
can change during a relationship

Question 5

Examples of Rewards

Answer 5

emotional support
feeling of belonging
quality time
physical affection

Question 6

Cost

Answer 6

stress
mental health issues
trust/commitment problems
disloyalty

Question 7

Comparison Level (CL)

Answer 7

amount of rewards you believe you deserve
based on previous relations. and social norms
high CL = worthy relationship
high self-esteem = high CL

Question 8

Comparison Level for Alternatives

Answer 8

compare the rewards/costs from current relations to possible one and being alone
stay in relations. as long as we believe it better than the alternatives
Duck
- CLalt depends on state of current relations
- alternative more attractive if in the current relations. has moer costs than rewards

Question 9

Stages of Relationship Development

Answer 9

Sampling (before)
Bargaining (beginning)
Commitment (short term/honeymoon)
Institutionalisation (long term)

Question 10

Sampling Stage

Answer 10

before relationship
explore rewards and cost of social exchange
by experimenting in all relations
or by observing others doing so

Question 11

Bargaining Stage

Answer 11

beginning
start exchanging many rewards and cost, negotiating and identifying whats more profitable

Question 12

Commitment Stage

Answer 12

short term/ honeymoon
with time the source of rewards/cost become predictable
relations. become more stable with more rewards and less costs

Question 13

Institutionalisation Stage

Answer 13

long term
partners are settled because of relations. norms
rewards and costs are established

Question 14

Research Support

Answer 14

Kurdek
investigated importance of SE factors in determining relations. quality
185 different couple types with no kids
questionnaire
Greater relations. satisfaction was associated with the perception of benefits
- alternative has less = less attractive

Question 15

VS Research Support

Answer 15

all research ignores equity
addressed by equity theory
lots of support for equity in relations.
more important than the balance of rewards and costs

Question 16

Direction of Cause & Effect

Answer 16

according to SET, we become disatisfied when relations. is no longer profitable
and alternative are more attractive
Argyle
- argued VS, that we don’t start looking at the rewards/costs until we are dissatisfied
Cost and alternatives are caused by dissatisfaction

Question 17

Vague Concepts

Answer 17

Concepts of SET are difficult to quantify
Rewards/costs are superficial
Psy. r/c are more difficult to define
Also vary between people
Comparison levels are problematic
Unclear what the values of CL and CLalt before dissatisfaction

Question 18

Different Relationships

Answer 18

Clark & Mills
SET fails to distinguish between types of relationship
Exchange relations (work) involved social exchange
Communal relations. are characterised by giving and receiving gifts without keeping score
If we do keep score then their commitement should be questioned
Low generalisability