Week 6 - Interdependency Flashcards
We are seeking the most “___________” relationships that are available to us
Satisfying
What is social exchange?
MUTUAL exchange of DESIRABLE rewards
We do this in a relationship
What are the rewards and costs in social exchange?
How do you get an outcome?
Rewards: interactions are DESIRABLE and ENHANCE joy/fufillment
Costs: interactions are PUNISHING/UNDESIRABLE experiences
Outcome = rewards - costs
The net reward or net cost
***ISNT AS IMPORTANT AS OUR EXPECTATIONS/PERCEPTIONS ^^
What the comparison level in relationships? (CL)
State the “equation”…
The VALUE of the OUTCOMES that we EXPECT we DESERVE in our relationship w/ others
*Individuals who have HISTORY of very rewarding partnerships = HIGH CL’s
VS
*Individuals who have a HISTORY of TROUBLED partnerships = LOWER CL’s
Outcomes - CL = satisfaction/dissatisfaction
***HOW MUCH YOUR OUTCOMES SURPASS YOUR CL LEVEL
What is comparison level for alternatives? (CLalt)
This determines our “___________” on our relationships
We use this to determine whether we could DO BETTER in a DIFFERENT partnership
The OUTCOMES you would receive by LEAVING your relationship and moving towards BEST ALTERNATIVE (you have available)
—————————————————————————————-
Dependence
Greater the gap b/w our CURRENT outcome and poor alternatives = increases dependence
When other partners or being “ _______” seem “_________” our CLalt goes up
What investments do we have to consider?
Single; attractive
LOWER CLalt = tends to be happier/secure relationships
- These are the things we would LOSE in our current relationship
- These ^^^ IMPACT our decision to STAY/LEAVE our partner
Does interdependence theory tend to treat satisfaction & dependence as fairly INDEPENDENT influences upon relationships?
What does the “equation” look like?
Yes
HOWEVER they are actually associated w/ each other
Outcomes - CLalt = dependence/independence
**WHEN OUTCOMES EXCEED CLS TEND TO BE SATISFIED
** WHEN OUTCOMES EXCEED CLalt TEND TO DEPEND UPON THEIR PARTNER
According to the 3 factors: CLs, CLaltS, and outcomes…
4 different types of relationships result:
- Happy, stable relationships
- Happy, but unstable relationships
- Unhappy, unstable relationship
- Unhappy, but stable relationship
What is the principle of lesser interest?
The partner who DEPENDS LESS on a relationship has MORE power
Ex) think of Betty and Barney’s outcomes
Betty has more power because she has better CLalt (it’s closer to the outcome line)
What happens to CL and CLalt as time goes by?
If you marry an individual who SEEMS perfect, they always have dinner ready for you, they are always doing thoughtful things
CL may go up, but your OUTCOMES remain the SAME
^^^satisfaction may decrease
Basically you get used to it and take it for advantage
Compared to out grandparents, this generation has a strong expectation for relationships to be “________” instead of pleasant and “______ ________” instead of fine
Magical; deeply fulfilling
On average North American marriages are “____” happy in comparison to how they were 30 years ago
What is this due to?
Less
May be DUE to higher CLs and CLalts
What has happened with the increase in CLalts?
Women GREATER participation in the workforce
People are more MOBILE now than before (options more diverse)
Internet (dating apps)
Barriers AGAINST divorce have WEAKENED (legal/social barriers)
***WHEN CL AND CLalts are HIGH PEOPLE FIND THEMSELVES PRETTY UNHAPPY
What is the reward-to-cost ratio minimally needed to remain satisfied in a close relationship?
5-to-1
Negative tends to be more impactful, so NEED to keep positive higher
This was found in a study
What typically happens with fearful attachment styles?
They often DONT notice the positive and loving things their partners do for them
Partners also tend to disagree about the MEANING/VALUE of rewards being exchanged in a partnership
