Theories Of Romantic Relationships: SET

Question 1

What does SET mean

Answer 1

Social exchange theory

Question 2

What does SET assume

Answer 2

Relationships are guided by the minimax principle

Question 3

What did Thibault and Kelley propose

Answer 3

Relationships could be explained in terms of economics - it is an exchange of goods or less tangible things such as doing a favour

Question 4

How is satisfaction judged

Answer 4

In terms of profit - partners are motivated to minimise the costs to themselves whilst maximising rewards

Question 5

What kind of relationships continue?

Answer 5

Profitable ones

Question 6

Give some examples of a cost

Answer 6

Loss of time or stress

Question 7

Give some examples of a reward

Answer 7

Sex, praise or companionship

Question 8

What else needs to be accounted for

Answer 8

Opportunity cost - the recognition that investment in a given relationship is at the cost of expending those resources somewhere else

Question 9

What is a measure of profit

Answer 9

Comparison level

Question 10

What is comparison level

Answer 10

A judgment of the reward level we expect in a relationship, determined by relationship experiences and social norms

Question 11

When will people generally pursue a relationship

Answer 11

When the CL is high (some people with low self esteem may have low CL’s)

Question 12

What is an additional measure of profit

Answer 12

CLalt

Question 13

What is CLalt

Answer 13

Comparison level for alternatives

Question 14

What is comparison level for alternatives

Answer 14

Involves considering whether we might gain more rewards and endure fewer costs in a different relationship - assuming that we can only select one partner

Question 15

When will people stay in a relationship

Answer 15

Despite alternatives, when we consider it is more rewarding that the alternatives

Question 16

What did Duck suggest

Answer 16

That here are always alternatives around - if costs of current relationship outweigh rewards then alternatives become more attractive

Question 17

What did Duck say about if we are in a satisfying relationship

Answer 17

We may not even notice the alternatives

Question 18

What are the four stages of a relationship

Answer 18

1. Sampling stage
2. Bargaining stage
3. Commitment stage
4. Institutionalisation stage

Question 19

What is the sampling stage

Answer 19

Involves exploring rewards and costs by experimenting in our relationship and observing others (not just romantic)

Question 20

What is the bargaining stage

Answer 20

Occurs at start of a relationship where romantic partners negotiate around costs and rewards

Question 21

What is the commitment stage

Answer 21

Where relationships become more stable, costs reduce and rewards increase

Question 22

What is the institutionalisation stage

Answer 22

When partners become settled because the norms of a relationship are established

Question 23

Name a limitation of SET

Answer 23

Assumes all relationships are exchange based - Clark and Mills

Question 24

What did Clark and Mills do

Answer 24

Argued that exchange relationships may involve profit (e.g. Work colleagues) 
Communal relationships (e.g. Romantic partners) involve giving and receiving of rewards without thinking of profit

Question 25

What did Clark and Mills suggest

Answer 25

At the start of a romantic relationship tallying of exchanges might be viewed with some suspicion and even distaste

Question 26

Why does the Clark and Mills study act as a limitation for SET

Answer 26

Suggests SET may not provide a suitable explanation for all types of relationships