Theories of Romantic Relationships

Question 1

SET considers how parties exchange rewards and costs, what type of theory is the SET?

Answer 1

Economic Theory

Question 2

Homan suggested that relationships involve costs, what might some examples of these be?

Answer 2

Money, time, emotional distress

Question 3

According to SET, what does satisfaction depend on?

Answer 3

The ratio of rewards and benefits (costs)

Question 4

If rewards outweigh the costs, what state is your relationship in?

Answer 4

Profit

Question 5

What might happen to the relationship where the rewards exceed the costs and is mutually beneficial

Answer 5

The relationship is more likely to be maintained

Question 6

Name the two types of comparisons where we measure the profits of our relationship

Answer 6

1. Comparisons of alternatives
2. Comparisons levels

Question 7

Which type of comparison develops from our past relationships and we use this to compare with our current relationship rewards?

Answer 7

Comparison levels

Question 8

According to SET, what two things are we comparing against our relationships that determine how long they are maintained for?

Answer 8

Costs and rewards

Question 9

TRUE/FALSE: A relationship that is mutually beneficial will succeed

Answer 9

TRUE

Question 10

Kurdeck’s research found that those partners who were most committed perceived more rewards and fewer costs viewed alternative relationships as unattractive, is this RTS or RTC?

Answer 10

Research to support / RTS

Question 11

TRUE/FALSE: One limitation of SET is that we monitor out costs and rewards before we become dissatisfied

Answer 11

FALSE

Question 12

Are the definitions of rewards and costs in a relationship SUBJECTIVE or OBJECTIVE?

Answer 12

Subjective

Question 13

If the definitions of rewards and costs in a relationship are subjective - is this a strength or a weakness of the SET as a theory of romantic relationships?

Answer 13

Weakness

Question 14

TRUE/FALSE: The equity theory is all about equality

Answer 14

FALSE

Question 15

TRUE/FALSE: The equity theory is based on fairness

Answer 15

TRUE

Question 16

What should each partner experience within their relationship according to the equity theory?

Answer 16

Fairness / Balance

Question 17

If where is equity within a relationship, what will happen to that relationship?

Answer 17

The relationship will be maintained

Question 18

How might a partner feel if there is inequity in the relationship?

Answer 18

Distressed and dissatisfied

Question 19

How might the underbenefitted partner deal with inequality?

Answer 19

They are motivated to make the relationship work as long as it is possible to do so and salvageable

Question 20

What does the investment model emphasise the central importance of?

Answer 20

Commitment

Question 21

Name the 3 factors that the investment model of commitment depends on

Answer 21

1. Satisfaction
2. Comparison level of alternatives
3. Investment size

Question 22

According to the investment model when is a relationship the most profitable?

Answer 22

If the relationship has many rewards and fewer costs

Question 23

Which factor from Rusbults’ investment model is based upon the extent to which an individual’s needs could be better met within that alternative one.

Answer 23

Comparison with alternatives

Question 24

What is meant by an intrinsic investment?

Answer 24

resources you put in directly

Question 25

What is meant by an extrinsic investment?

Answer 25

Investments which did not previously feature but is closely associated with it

Question 26

Give 1 example of an intrinsic investment

Answer 26

Intangible - time, effort, energy, emotion

Question 27

Give 1 example of an extrinsic investment

Answer 27

Shared friends, children, house, shared memories