Theories of romantic relationships: SET and Equity Flashcards
What is social exchange theory?
- theory assumes partners act out of self-interest in exchanging rewards and costs. It’s an ‘economic theory of human behaviour which proposes that individuals focus on getting out more than they put in
- those who receive favourable reward/cost outcomes are more likely to be satisfied and less likely to leave. were attracted to those who offer rewards
- a satisfying relationship is maintained when rewards exceed costs. We try to minimise costs and maximise rewards
What is the comparison level
- amount of rewards you believe you deserve to get
- develops from experiences from previous relationships which feed into our expectations
- also influenced by social norms that determine what is a reasonable level of reward
How do we measure profit using the CL?
- if the potential profit in a relationship exceeds our CL then it is deemed worthwhile and the other person will be seen as attractive
- if results are -ve and profit is less than CL the person will be seen as as less attractive
- a relationship is considered worthwhile if our CL is high
How can we measure profit in a relationship
comparison level
comparison level for alternatives
What is the comparison level for alternatives
Whether we believe we could gain greater rewards and fewer costs from another relationship or being single
- we will only stay in a current relationship if we believe its more rewarding than others
What are the stages of relationship development?
Sampling
Bargaining
Commitment
Institutionalisation
What is the sampling stage
we explore rewards and costs of social exchange by experimenting with then in our own relationships or by observing others
What is the Bargaining stage?
marks the beginning of a relationship when partners begin exchanging various rewards and costs, negotiating and identifying what is most profitable
What is the commitment stage
as time goes on sources of rewards and costs become more predictable and the relationship becomes more stable as rewards increase and costs decrease
What is the institutionalisation stage?
partners are now settled because the norms of the relationship now established
What are strengths of social exchange theory
- supporting evidence from Kurdek
- explains individual differences
- practical applications of relationship therapy
What are limitations of social exchange theory
- confusion in whats a cost and reward in a relationship
- cultrally biased
Evaluate supporting evidence from Kurdek as a strength of Social exchange theory
- supporting evidence
- asked gay and straight couples to complete questionnaires measuring relationship commitment and SET variables. He found partners who were the most committed also perceived the most rewards and fewest costs and viewed alternatives as unattractive
- strength because these findings match predictions of the SET confirming the validity of the theory
Evaluate explanation of individual differences as a strength of SET
- can explain individual differences in relationships
- people have different perceptions about how beneficial their current relationship is due their differing CL and CLA. SET explains why some stay in an abusive relationship because the cost of leaving is greater than staying
- strength because it explains why people maintain a relationship even when benefits aren’t present
Evaluate practical applications as a strength of SET
- practical applications of relationship therapy
- ppl in unsuccessful marriages report a lack of positive behaviour exchanges with their partners and exessive exchanges. Integrated behavioural couples therapy attempts to increase positive exchanges in a relationship and help partners break patterns making each other happier. 60 couples were treated using IBCT and 2/3 reported improvements
- strength because the theory itself has practical applications and can be used to improve communication thus adding validity to SET
Evaluate confusions between rewards and costs as a limitation of SET
- theres confusion between what constitutes a cost or a benefit
- what may be rewarding to one person may be punishing to another. Also what may have been a benefit at one stage in the relationship may be seen as a cost later. Its difficult to quantify and define psychological rewards
- limitation because it suggests thats its difficult to classify all events in simple terms such as ‘costs’ and ‘bebefits’
Evaluate cultural bias as a limitation of SET
- culturally biased
- The theory implies that ere self-centres and only maintain romantic relationships if the benefits outweigh the costs. However, not all relationships are voluntary (e.g. some are arranged). So it may not be possible to withdraw from the relationship even if the costs outweigh the benefits
- limitation because SET may not be a valid theory in all cultures and should only be used to explain relationships in individualist cultures
What is Equity theory
Claims ppl are most comfortable when what they get out of a relationship is equal than what they put in
Considers the distribution of rewards and costs and the perceived sense of fairness
Explain the role of equity in relationships
relationships that lack equity are associated with dissatisfaction
- if people feel over benefited they may experience pity guilt and shame
- if people feel under benefited they may feel anger sadness and resentment
How can equity be restored in a relationship
Restoration of actual equity
Restoration of psychological equity
Leaving the relationship
How can actual equity be restored
by voluntarily setting things right or by urging partners to do so
How can psychological equity be restored
couples can distort reality and convince themselves that things are perfectly fair just the way they are
How can leaving the relationship restore equity
if equity is unable to be restored they can leave
this can be physical (divorce) or emotional
What is a strength of equity theory
- supporting evidence from Stafford and Canary
What are limitations of equity theory
- individual differences
- direction of causation is unclear
Evaluate support from Stafford and Canary as a strength of Equity theory
- supporting evidence
- asked 200 married couples to complete questionnaires measuring equity and satisfaction. Each spouse was asked about their use of relationship maintenance strategies. Satisfaction was highest for spouses who perceived their relationship as equitable followed by over-benefitted partners. Under-benefitted partners were least satisfied and under-benefitted husbands reported lower levels of relationship maintenance
- strength because shows how perceived equity is an important determinant of marital satisfaction
Evaluate individual differences as a limitation of equity theory
- individual differences
Not everyone experiences the same level of tension when they perceive inequitable relationships. There are three categories of individuals. Benevolents are givers who are more tolerant of under-rewarded inequity. Equity sensitives behave in accordance with equity and experience tension when faced with inequity. Entitleds prefer to be overrewarded. - limitation because this demonstrates that there are important individual differences in the impact of inequitable relationships. This challenges the assumptions made by equity theory and weakens the validity
Evaluate the direction of causation as a limitation of Equity theory
- the direction of causation is unclear
- Did the lack of equity lead to dissatisfaction or did dissatisfaction lead to the identification of inequity. Some research shows inequity leads to dissatisfaction but other research shows the opposite. It argues that once partners start monitoring each other’s contributions this is a sign of dissatisfaction. Once dissatisfaction sets in partners notice inequities and become even more dissatisfied
- limitation because the direction of causation may be wrong invalidating equity theory
