Relationships- theories of romantic relationships Flashcards
What is the social exchange theory?
A theory of how relationships form and develop. It assumes that romantic partners act out of self interest in exchanging rewards and costs. A satisfying and committed relationship is maintained when rewards exceed costs and potential alternatives are less attractive than current relationship
Social exchange theory- Comparison level (CL)
- We develop a standard which we compare our relationship against
- Formed through experience plus general views
- If we judge the potential profit of a new relationship to exceed our CL, the relationship will be judged as worthwhile
Social exchange theory- Comparison level for alternatives (CLalt)
- When we compare our current relationship with the benefits we would receive from an alternative relationship
- If the benefits of the alternative relationship are better, we will end our current relationship and start a new one
Feature of social exchange theory- stages of relationship development
1) Sampling- rewards and costs are assessed in a number of relationships
2) Bargaining- this marks the beginning of a relationship when partners start exchanging various rewards and costs
3) commitment- relationship is established and maintained by a predictable exchange of rewards
4) Institutionalisation- interactions are established and the couple ‘settle downs’
Evaluation of the social exchange theory
- It is difficult to quantify what rewards and costs are as they are subjective and unique to each person
- Real life applications- the CLalt helps to explain why somebody would end a relationship they were satisfied with. Also explains why people may stay in an abusive relationship
What is the equity theory?
- An economic theory of how relationships develop. It acknowledges the impact of rewards and costs on relationship satisfaction but criticises social exchange theory for ignoring the role of equity
- When there is lack of equity, one partner over benefits and the other under benefits
- According to the equity theory, it’s not the size or amount of rewards and costs which matters, it’s the ratio of the 2. So if one partner puts in a lot into the relationship but gets a lot out of it, it will seem fair
What is equity?
Fairness (not equality)
What are the consequences of inequity?
The greater the perceived inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction
Explain Rusbult’s investment model
- According to Rusbult (2011), commitment level of a relationship depends on 3 factors: satisfaction, alternatives and investment.
- It is a development of the social exchange theory
What is satisfaction?
The extent to which romantic partners feel the rewards of the relationship exceed the cost
- Satisfaction is based on the concept of the comparison level (cl)
- Each partner is generally satisfied if they are getting more out of a relationship than they expect based on previous experience and social norms
- Similarly, we have a comparison for alternatives where we weigh up a potential increase in rewards from a potential partner minus any costs involved in ending our current relationship
What is investment?
The resources associated with a romantic relationship which the partners would lose if the relationship were to end
- Rusbult suggested that the CL and Call from SET aren’t enough to explain commitment to a relationships.
- Rusbult argues that there are 2 main types of investment
What are the 2 main types of investment?
Intrinsic- things you have to put into the relationship directly (time, money, emotions)
Extrinsic- things which were unrelated but have been connected to the relationship(mutual friends, shared possessions)
Explain satisfaction vs commitment in Rulbults investment model
Rusbult argues that the main psychological factors that causes people to stay in a relationship isn’t satisfaction but is commitment
What is Duck’s Phase model?
An explanation of the stages people go through when their relationship isn’t working. Once one partner is dissatisfied, there are 4 phases in the process, each with a different focus. Each phase is marked by a partner reaching a threshold, a point at which their perception of the relationship changes
Duck’s phase model- intrapsychic phase
“I can’t stand this anymore”
The focus of this phase is on cognitive processes
Consider costs of withdrawal
Mulls their thoughts over privately or with close friend
