Social Exchange Theory Flashcards
What is social exchange theory?
-One of a number of so-called economic theories which state relationships operate on a model of costs and rewards.
-Based on assumption that the likelihood of a person staying in a relationship is determined by an assessment of what they get out of the relationship, compared to what they put in.
-Homans (1974) - we view out feelings for others in terms of profits, the greater the rewards and the lower the cost, the greater profit.
-Basic concepts = reward, cost, outcome and comparison level.
What does this theory suggest about rewards?
-The positive, gratifying aspects that make a relationship worthwhile and reinforcing.
-Includes companionship, cared for, sex + ability to acquire external resources by virtue of knowing this person.
What does theory say about costs?
-All friendships + relationships have costs attached to them.
-Includes effort, financial investment + time wasted.
-Blau (1964) argues interactions are ‘expensive’ as they take time, energy + commitment, so what we get out must exceed what we put in.
What does this theory say about outcome?
-A direct comparison of rewards + costs.
-Outcome = rewards - costs.
-A negative number would mean the relationship is not in good shape, a positive means you would more likely be satisfied with the relationship.
Explain comparison level in the social exchange theory
Comparison with previous relationships:
-How satisfied you are with current depends on what you expect the outcome to be in terms of costs + rewards.
-History of relationships leads to expectations of what current or future relationships should be like.
-If potential profit of new exceeds profits of previous, then it will be judged as worthwhile and partner will be seen as more attractive.
-Someone with previous unpleasant relationships may have a low comparison levels, and may be happy in a poor relationship.
-Someone with previous rewarding relationships, may have high expectations.
Comparison with alternative relationships:
-Satisfaction depends on perception of likelihood that you could replace with a better one.
-Each person weighs up potential increase in rewards, minus any costs associated with ending the relationship.
-An individual will be committed to their current relationship when overall benefits and costs are perceived as being greater than what might be possible in an alternative one.
What are 2 strengths of social exchange theory?
Research Support from Abusive Relationships:
-Rusbult + Martz (1995) argue when investment is high (e.g. has a child with abusive partner) + alternatives are few (e.g. nowhere to live, no money), a profit situation will exist and the woman will remain in the relationship.
Supports theory as despite relationship being problematic, the female still receives it as profitable due to financial gains attached.
Research Support for Level for Alternatives:
-Sprecher (2001) - longitudinal study of 101 dating couples at US uni - found most important factor in satisfaction was the comparison levels for alternatives.
-Study showed presence of alternatives consistently + negatively correlated with both commitment + satisfaction i.e. in relationships where comparison level for alternatives was high, commitment + satisfaction with current relationship tended to be low.
Sprecher suggests this is not surprising as those who lack alternatives are likely to remain committed, but also those who are satisfied are more likely to devalue alternatives.
What are 2 limitations of social exchange theory?
An increase in Rewards is more important than constant rewards:
-Aronson (1999) - simply making comparisons between profit + loss is not realistic, an increase in reward is crucial which he fund when tested relative effects of profit + loss.
-4 conditions: all positive evaluations given by confederate to participant, all negative evaluations, gain (negatives followed by positive), and loss (positives followed by negatives)
-Participants in gain condition liked confederate more than those in positive condition, those in loss condition disliked confederate more than those in negative condition.
Suggests rewards are more effective when they increase gradually rather than when constant.
Most research based on short-term relationships:
-Many techniques have been used to test exchange have been short term + did not examine dynamics of relationships through time.
-Rewards + costs became more of an issue - the longer an individual feels unhappy + under-benefitted the more likely they are to leave.
-We can ‘put up’ with this disparity at beginning when rewards seem abundant.
Therefore to gain a more realistic + comprehensive view of social exchange theory we need to test it over a longer period, using longitudinal methods.
