Relationships: TORR - Social exchange theory

Question 1

Thibault and Kelley

Answer 1

proposed relationships could be explained in terms of economics - an exchange of goods

Question 2

How is satisfaction judged?

Answer 2

Judged in economic terms. Partners consider profit a relationship provides them with; judge perceived value of costs minus the value of rewards

Question 3

How does a partner consider profit of a relationship?

Answer 3

Judging perceive value of costs minus the value of rewards

Question 4

Minimax principle

Answer 4

minimise losses and maximise gains in a relationship

Question 5

What relationships are likely to be a success?

Answer 5

Those judged to be a profit

Question 6

Rewards of relationships

Answer 6

sex, praise, companionship

Question 7

Costs of a relationship

Answer 7

time, effort, finance

Question 8

When do people form a relationship?

Answer 8

When rewards outweigh costs.

thus commitment to a relationship is dependent on profitablitiy

Question 9

Opportunity cost

Answer 9

needs to be accounted for

recognition that investment in a given relationship is at the ‘cost’ of expending those resources elsewhere

Question 10

Way in which relationship profit is measure

Answer 10

Comparison level

Comparison level of alternatives

Question 11

Comparison level

Answer 11

Standard agent against which all relationships are judged

Question 12

What is comparison level determined by?

Answer 12

Prev relationship experience and general views (e.g. media)

Question 13

When do you pursue a relationship in comparison line?

Answer 13

When comparison level by partner is met

Question 14

Comparison level for alternatives

Answer 14

compare current relationship with benefits we would receive from alternative relationship
If benefits of alternative better, end current
If not, maintain current

Question 15

CLalt depends on what?

Answer 15

Current state of relationship

Question 16

CLalt: Duck said?

Answer 16

Dependent on state of our relationship..

Only look for alternatives if costs are high in current

Question 17

SET: stages of relationships

Answer 17

Sampling
bargaining
commitment
institutionalisation

Question 18

Sampling stage

Answer 18

explore rewards and costs of a relationship by experimenting in own relationships and observing those of others

Question 19

Bargaining stage

Answer 19

occurs at start of relationship romantic partners begin to negotiate around costs and rewards

Question 20

Commitment stage

Answer 20

Where relationships become more stable

Costs reduce, rewards increase

Question 21

Institutionalisation stage

Answer 21

partners become settled

Norms of relationship are established

Question 22

A03: Ignores importance of equity

Answer 22

If benefits aren’t equal to partners, inequity likely to cause dissatisfaction in relationship, regardless of whether CL’s are similar

Question 23

A03: assumes all realtionships are economic based

Answer 23

Clark and mills

Question 24

A03: Nomothetic approach

Answer 24

uncovers universal laws of how relationships are maintained that would be applicable to all couples.
Ways relationships are maintained vary significantly from couple to couple

Question 25

A03: Reductionist

Answer 25

Complex phenomenon based on costs and rewards

limits range of real life romantic experiences can explain