Theories Of Romantic Relationships

Question 1

What are 3 types of theories?

Answer 1

1. Social exchange theory
2. Equity theory
3. Rusbults investment model

Question 2

What is the social exchange theory? And what the 2 comparisons

Answer 2

• idea that Benefits out weigh the costs. = profit
• costs: money, time, travelling
• benefits: sex, emotional support, laughter, food
• 2 comparisons
  1. Comparison level - compare current rewards against the costs - think so I deserve more
  2. Comparisons level for alternatives - costs and rewards compared to a alternative relationship - see if yours is worth it

A relationship will be maintained aswell as the rewards outweigh the costs and the profit is larger than an alternative relationship

Question 3

Research into the social exchange theory

Answer 3

✅ found the if the costs out weigh the benefits the relationship becomes unequal and will
Not be maintained

Question 4

What is the evaluation of the social exchange theory?

Answer 4

✅ not everyone is selfish - but attitudes are shaped by how rewarding someone is.

❌ not everyone’s selfish - people are sometimes quite happy to do something for someone to not gain a reward

Question 5

What is the equity theory

Answer 5

• to achieve fairness in a relationship
• balance and stability = maintenance
• you put more in than your receive = disatification - inequitable
• realisation of imbalance - create efforts to maintain a relationship
• breakdown called dissolution

Question 6

What is the evaluation for the equity theory?

Answer 6

❌ selfish - fairness for ourself

❌ gender differences equity more applied to females

❌ culturally bias - US prefer equity - Europe prefer equality

Question 7

What is Rusbults investment model of commitment?

Answer 7

• look at factors for relationship commitment - more\less committed

3 types

1. Satisfaction level - positive vs negative needs - emotional/ sexual
2. Comparison with alternatives - perceived desirability for a better partner = less committed
3. Investment size - amount/importance of investments - bigger loss - house

Question 8

What are two variables linked to commitment?

Answer 8

1. Equity - inequality = dissatfication - less committed - more chance of ending the relationship
2. Social support - amount of support from friends and family - positive affect on commitment

Question 9

Research into rusbults investment model of commitment?

Answer 9

Research found that although results were inconsistent

• female had fewer better alternatives - more investments - stronger overall commitment

✅ explains cheating

Question 10

What is Ducks tord?

Answer 10

• why relationships fail/ breakdown

3 reasons

1. Pre exsiting doom -
   Incompatibility doomed from the start
2. Mechanical failure - compatible, good people grow apart as they can’t live together
3. Sudden death - immediate break up - infidelity, betrayal

Question 11

Name other factors in ducks tord for a failed relationship?

Answer 11

1. Lack of motivation
2. Lack of maintainence
3. Lack of skills

Question 12

What are the 4 phases of the the break down?

Answer 12

1. Intrapsychic stage - only you - consider cost and reward - the nagatives, dissatfiaction kept to yourself
2. Dyadic phase - confide in partner of dissatisfaction - either fix or break relationship
3. Social phase - tell friends family - looking for future relationships
4. Grace dressing phase - get over the real do ship activities - get your story of break up out there

Question 13

Research into ducks tord

Answer 13

Gender difference as rear hand have found men blame lack of sex whereas women blame stress

Question 14

Evaluation of ducks tord?

Answer 14

✅ face validity looks like this would happen - can relate to the scenarios

✅ widely used process - explains friendships aswell - explains dissolution