Theories of Romantic Relationship: Social Exchange Theory

Question 1

Social exchange theory uses principles from what 2 theories?

Answer 1

Economics and Operant Conditioning.

Question 2

The theory states we will only form and commit to relationships if they are…

Answer 2

Rewarding

Question 3

What must rewards outweigh for relationships to be successful?

Answer 3

Costs

Question 3

Give the equation for profit.

Answer 3

Rewards - Costs = Profit

Question 4

Give examples of costs.

Answer 4

Time, money etc

Question 5

Who proposed the 4 stage model of long term relationships?

Answer 5

Thibault and Kelley

Question 5

Give examples of rewards.

Answer 5

Feeling loved, companionship etc

Question 6

What is the minimax principle?

Answer 6

A theory that suggests that people try to maximise rewards and minimise costs.

Question 7

What does ‘exchange’ mean in social exchange theory?

Answer 7

When we feel rewarded, we aim to reciprocate rewards to our partner.

Question 8

Name the 4 stages in the 4 stage model of long term relationships.

Answer 8

Sampling
Bargaining
Commitment
Institutionalisation

Question 9

What is sampling in the 4 stage model of relationships?

Answer 9

The couple experiments with rewards and costs they may experience in a variety of relationships.

Question 10

What is bargaining in the 4 stage model?

Answer 10

The couple negotiates the relationship and agrees on rewards and costs.

Question 11

What is commitment in the 4 stage model?

Answer 11

Norms and expectations of rewards and costs are established.

Question 12

What is institutionalisation in the 4 stage model?

Answer 12

The couple settles into the relationship and exchange of rewards and costs becomes predictable.

Question 13

What is the comparison level?
How might it motivate us to continue a relationship?

Answer 13

How satisfied the individual feels with rewards/costs depends on experience from previous relationships. If the current relationship compares favourably with past relationships, we are motivated to continue the relationship.

Question 14

What is the comparison level with alternatives?
How could it lead to the termination of a relationship?

Answer 14

When we consider the rewards/costs if we formed a relationship with someone else. If rewards seem greater elsewhere, the current relationship will be terminated.

Question 15

Explain the strength of SET being based on a socio-economic approach.
How does SET focus on the person and their own opinions?
Compare this to sexual selection which says relationships are formed off evolutionary factors.
This makes SET less D__________…

Answer 15

This approach considers the fact that people have free will and a choice on who they form relationships with. For example, it is down to the person whether they believe that rewards outweigh costs in their relationships. This therefore means that individual differences have been considered, unlike other in theories, such as sexual selection, that state that our relationships and choice of reproductive partners is a result of evolution. Therefore, SET is a less deterministic theory.

Question 16

Explain the strength that SET explains why people leave relationships even when satisfied.
Use the example of comparison level of alternatives.

Answer 16

For example, the comparison level for alternatives theory explains that although we may be happy with rewards gained in a current relationship, we could be gaining more rewards in another relationship with someone else. This means that we leave our current partner to go and be with someone who offers more rewards. This helps to explain why seemingly happy couples terminate their relationships.

Question 17

Explain the limitation of SET ignoring equity.
Why does this make SET a limited explanation of romantic relationships?

Answer 17

Equity is a crucial factor that may play an overwhelming role in the success of relationships. There is much research support for the role of equity in relationships. What matters is not just the balance of rewards and costs, but partners perceptions that this is fair. The neglect of equity means that SET is a limited explanation that cannot account for a significant proportion of the research and findings on relationships.

Question 18

Explain the limitation of SET using vague concepts that are hard to quantify.
Use the example of rewards and costs which are subjective and variable from person to person.
Use another example of the comparison level which does not clearly state the point at which a relationship is threatened.
How does this affect the theories validity?

Answer 18

Rewards and costs have been defined superficially in research in order to measure them. But real-world psychological rewards and costs are subjective and harder to define. For example, most people that consider loyalty a reward, but this can vary from person to person. The concepts of comparison levels are quite problematic because its unclear what the values of the CL and CLalts are before dissatisfaction threatens a relationship. This means that the theory is difficult to test in a valid way.