Theories Romantic Relationships- Social Exchange theory- Thiabault and Kelley

Question 1

What does the social exchange theory suggest?

Answer 1

suggests relationships can be explained in terms of the economic
principle of profit and loss

Question 2

what will profit lead to?

Answer 2

Profit (profit = rewards – costs) in a relationship leads to
satisfaction- Individuals will attempt to maximise rewards while minimising costs (the
minimax principle)

Question 3

What happens to profitable and unprofitable relationships?

Answer 3

Profitable relationships will be maintained, unprofitable relationships will fail.

Question 4

What are rewards that individuals may receive from a relationship?

Answer 4

include companionship and
status.

Question 5

What are costs that individuals may receive from a relationship?

Answer 5

Costs may include time and stress.

Question 6

what did Thibault and Kelley suggest?

Answer 6

we develop a comparison level which is a standard against which
our relationships are judged

Question 7

what is the comparison level?

Answer 7

the amount of reward you feel you deserve in a relationship, determined by relationship experiences and norms