Theories of RR:Social Economic theory (SET)

Question 1

who proposed the Social Exchange theory (SET)

Answer 1

Thibaut & Kelley

Question 2

Social exchange theory

Answer 2

Assumes that people try to maximise the rewards they obtain from a relationship and minimise the costs. (minimax principle)

The exchange comes from the assumption that when people receive rewards from others they feel obliged to reciprocate.

Question 3

Rewards and Costs

Answer 3

Rewards can be subjective. These can be things such as Companionship, Sex and emotional support. But it can involve negative emotions as well

Blau argues that relationships can be expensive, so costs include things such as time,stress,energy and money.

Also an Opportunity cost as your investment in time and energy in current relationships means that you can’t invest elsewhere

Question 4

What are the two ways in measuring profit in relationships

Answer 4

Comparison level (CL)
Comparison level for alternatives (CL-Alt)

Question 5

Comparison level

Answer 5

How satisfied individuals are with the reward and costs depending on what they have come to expect from previous relationships.

If the current relationship compares favourably with past relationships we are motivated to stay in the relationship.

Question 6

Comparison level and link with self esteem

Answer 6

Someone with low self esteem will have a low CL and therefore be satisfied with gaining just a small profit (or even loss) from a relationship. Someone with higher self esteem will believe they are worth a lot more.

Question 7

Comparison level for alternatives (CL-Alt)

Answer 7

SET predicts that we will stay in our current relationships only so long as we believe it is more rewarding than the alternatives. So if costs of our current relationship outweigh the rewards then alternatives become more attractive

Question 8

Stages of relationship development

Answer 8

Thibault and Kelley presented the stages which a relationship will develop:

1)sampling stage
2)Bargaining stage
3)commitment stage
4)Institutionalisation stage

Question 9

Sampling stage

Answer 9

Explore the rewards and costs of social exchange by experimenting with them or by observing others.

Question 10

Bargaining stage

Answer 10

Marks the beginning of a relationship when romantic partners start exchanging various rewards and costs, negotiating and identifying what is most profitable

Question 11

Commitment stage:

Answer 11

Sources of cost and rewards become more predictable and relationship becomes more stable as rewards increase and costs lessen

Question 12

Institutionalisation stage

Answer 12

Partners settled down because the norms of the relationship(rewards and costs) are firmly established