Theories Of Romantic Relationships- Social Exchange Theory

Question 1

What is social exchange theory

Answer 1

Individuals look at relationships in terms of rewards and cost (what are the putting in and what are they getting out)

Exhanges do not have to be even

Question 2

Example of rewards and costs

Answer 2

Rewards - gifts, quality time, happiness
Costs- time, money, sacrifices

Question 3

thibault and kelly (1959)

Answer 3

-we want to maximise our profit and minimise our losses
-what one person considers a high reward might be considered less valuable for other eg materialistic gifts

Question 4

Blay

Answer 4

Relationships can be expensive
They include an opportunity cost -your investment of time and energy in your relationship.

Question 5

What are the Two ways to measure profit of a relationship

Answer 5

Comparison level
Comparison level for alternative options

Question 6

What is comparison level (CL)

Answer 6

The amount of reward an individual believes they deserve.
-formed from previous relationships that give you the standard for future relationships
-people with low self-esteem will have low CL and therefore will be satisfied with low profit.
-people with high self-esteem will have a higher CL

Question 7

What’s CLaT

Answer 7

-you look to see if there’s greater reward in alternatives
When you’re in a relationship you look got alternatives
-we will only stay in current relationship if we believe it’s more rewarding than the alternatives.
-if the cost of our relationship outweighs the reward alternatives become more appealing

Question 8

What are the 4 stages of level of comparison (CL)

Answer 8

1. Sampling
   2.bargening
2. Commitment
   4.institutionalisation

Question 9

What is sampling

Answer 9

View the cost and reward of the relationshipn

Question 10

Bargening

Answer 10

Negotiation between the partners where the rewards and costs are agreed

Question 11

Commitment

Answer 11

Acceptance of what they’re putting in and what they’re getting out

Question 12

Institutionalisation

Answer 12

Norms of the relationships are established

Question 13

Supporting study - Hatfield and criticism of study

Answer 13

Hatfield - 1979
The happiest people where those who felt the marriage was equal for both partners in terms of cost and benefit.
-however only done on new marriages so(honey moon phase) lacks population validity

Question 14

Positves of the theory

Answer 14

✅- Hatfield’s supporting study
✅- face validity

Question 15

Limiations of theory

Answer 15

❌Inappropriate assumptions about relationships- assumes everyone is always looking for alternatives and that relationships keep track of their exchange of cost and reward which isn’t true.
❌- correlational no cause and effect- suggests satisfaction comes in when the cost outweighs the reward but could be due to extraneous variables.
❌-lacks temporal validity