Theories of Romantic Relationships: Social Exchange Theory

Question 1

Who was SET proposed by?

Answer 1

Thibault and Kelley

Question 2

What type of theory is it?

Answer 2

Economic theory
Selfish theory
Cognitive theory

Question 3

What is the concept of the theory?

Answer 3

It involves an exchange of resources - known as the minimax strategy. Relationships are based on benefits that someone perceives they will gain from the relationship v the costs that are involved. In a relationship, individuals attempt to maximise their benefits and minimise the costs.

Question 4

What are some examples of rewards?

Answer 4

Companionship, being cared for, sex and a boost in self esteem

Question 5

What are some examples of costs?

Answer 5

A need to take care of someone emotionally, a lacking sex life, a partner who is inherently jealous and paying money for gifts

Question 6

What is the outcome?

Answer 6

Rewards - costs

Question 7

What is comparison level?

Answer 7

This is the comparison of the current relationship: Our comparison level is a product of our experiences of other or past r/ships / social norms we see in the media about r/ships/ together with general views of what we expect from this exchange. If profit in this r/ship exceeds our CL- then this r/ship is PERCEIVED as worthwhile, if CL is negative (profit less than our CL), then this r/ship becomes less attractive

Question 8

What is comparison level for alternatives?

Answer 8

Other potential relationships are considered or even being single as opposed to with this partner. If the alternative is PERCEIVED to offer more benefits/rewards (minus any costs associated with ending the current r/ship), the current relationship is likely to break up and a new r/ship can take the place of the old one as PERCEIVED profit level is higher.

Question 9

How was the theory developed?

Answer 9

A set has been adapted further by Thibault and Kelley, who proposed a 4 stage model through which r/ships develop. As couples become familiar with each other, they understand how the other partner exchanges costs and benefits.

Question 10

What are the four stages through which relationships develop?

Answer 10

Sampling stage
Bargaining stage
Commitment stage
Institutionalisation stage

Question 11

What is the sampling stage?

Answer 11

Rewards and costs of this new relationship are assessed by considering different relationships/experiences of relationships or relationships of others

Question 12

What is the bargaining stage?

Answer 12

A relationship is ‘costed out’ and benefits and costs start to be identified within the relationship ie costs and benefits e.g. sex life, emotional care, etc.- the exchanging and negotiating of costs and rewards

Question 13

What is the commitment stage?

Answer 13

The relationship is stable and maintained by a predictable exchange of rewards.

Question 14

What is the institutionalisation stage?

Answer 14

Interactions become predictable and the couple ‘settles down’ into the norms in terms of costs & benefits of the relationship

Question 15

SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY - Research evidence?

Answer 15

Research by Rusbult & Zembrodt (1983) longitudinal study with 30 students in heterosexual R/ships completed Q’aires every 17 days for 7 months!
Students had weighed up the costs and benefits. For those who stayed in a R/ship; increases in rewards led to better satisfaction but costs had little impact.
Therefore couples do use a cost benefit analysis to decide if their relationship, who puts in effort and ensures rewards must exceed costs for the continuation of the relationship.

Question 16

SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY - Practical applications?

Answer 16

This can help develop couples therapy such as integrated behavioural couples therapy where couples are taught how to increase positive exchanges and decrease negative exchanges. Focuses on perceived or actual costs and rewards and realign any issues with exchange of resources. Helps identify and tackle issues that are causing problems in their relationship.

Question 17

SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY - Culturally biassed?

Answer 17

The theory is more suited to western individualistic cultures as costs and benefits may be perceived in a very different manner. Couples from collectivist cultures may not be looking for individual profitability and rewards as they value security more highly. It is therefore not a universal explanation which limits our understanding to just individualistic cultures.

Question 18

SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY - Individual differences?

Answer 18

Some people stay in relationships where the costs outweigh the benefits such as in cases of domestic abuse. The cost of leaving and financial security may be more important than leaving. Rusbult & Martz applied the SET to women who were in abusive relationships. They established that women would tend to go back into abusive relationships that they had briefly left because there was no better alternative. They suggested that the women would prefer to be with an abusive partner than be by themselves and had found the abusive relationship to offer benefits