Social exchange theory Flashcards
1
Q
Who proposed the social exchange theory?
A
Thibault and Kelley (1959)
2
Q
What is the fundamental belief of social exchange theory?
A
People judge relationship satisfaction in terms of profits, costs and rewards
-minimise losses, maximise gains
3
Q
What are examples of costs in a relationship according to Blau (1964)?
A
- time
- stress
- energy
- compromise
4
Q
How do we measure profits in a romantic relationship?
A
- comparison level (amount of reward we think we deserve based on previous relationships)
- comparison level for alternatives (costs and rewards of current relationship compared to alternative relationships including no relationship)
5
Q
What did Duck (1994) say about the CLalt?
A
if the current relationship is satisfactory in terms of rewards the individual would not be assessing alternatives
6
Q
What did Argyle (1987) claim about the cause and effect of SET?
A
- we do not constantly measure rewards and costs in a relationship
- do not constantly assess alternatives unless already dissatisfied
7
Q
What is SET said to ignore?
A
- Fairness and equity
- research shows that fairness is more important than just rewards and costs
- means that it is a limited theory
8
Q
A03-measurability
A
- rewards and costs are hard to quantify and subjective
- what is a significant reward for one person may be insignificant to another
9
Q
What is a problem with research supporting SET?
A
- most research support comes from artificial studies eg. strangers working together on a game
- more realistic studies have been less supportive of SET
