Maintenance of Relationships

Question 1

How does Social Exchange Theory explain how relationships are maintained (4)

Answer 1

1. Assumes that people want to maximise the rewards of their relationship and minimise the costs
2. It suggests that how satisfied someone is with the costs and rewards they receive in their relation is dependent on their experience in previous relationships. This is known as a comparison level
3. It also suggests that people expect to receive as many rewards as they give to their partner in the relationship
4. In addition, it also suggests that how satisfied an individual is with their relationship depends on the costs and rewards they would receive if they were to have a relationship with someone else. This is known as a comparison level for alternatives

Question 2

Name the two studies that support Social Exchange Theory(1)

Answer 2

1. Simpson- student relationship questionnaire

2. Martz et al

Question 3

What did Simpson do and find in his student relationship questionnaire study?(2)

Answer 3

1. Simpson asked students to answer a questionnaire regarding their current relationships and then rate a member of the opposite sex.
2. Found that those who said we’re currently satisfied with their current relationship gave lower ratings when rating how attractive another member of the opposite sex was. This shows that people who are satisfied with their relationships do not have a large comparison level for alternatives

Question 4

Evaluative points for Simpson’s students relationships questionnaire study?(3)

Answer 4

1. Only used students- not representative- lowers external validity
2. Questionnaires- subject to lies and bias- lowers internal validity
3. Only supports the presence of a comparison level for alternatives and not the fact people try to maximise rewards and minimise costs

Question 5

What did Martz et al argue that supports Social Exchange Theory?(1)

Answer 5

1. Martz argued that if investments are high and alternatives are low people are likely to stay in their current relationship

Question 6

Overall evaluation for Social Exchange Theory(4)

Answer 6

1. Culturally bias- can’t explain relationships in collectivist cultures
2. Heterosexually bias- most studies conducted on heterosexual couples
3. Assumes everyone is selfish
4. Cannot explain why people leave relationships when they have no where else to go

Question 7

How does equity theory explain how relationships are maintained(5)

Answer 7

1. Individuals seek equity in a relationship
2. If a relationship is unequal it causes distress, especially for the disadvantaged individual
3. The disadvantaged individual try’s hard to make the relationship equal
4. This theory assumes that people seek to receive as many rewards as they give in a relationship
5. However, if both individuals agree, a relationship can become unequal

Question 8

Name the studies that support Equity Theory?(2)

Answer 8

1. Hatfield- newly weds questionnaire

2. Demarris- divorced women study

Question 9

What did Hatfield do and find in the Newly Weds Questionnaire study?

Answer 9

1. Asked newly weds to indicate whether they believed they received more or less rewards than they give to their relationship
2. He then asked them to answer a questionnaire that assessed their happiness, anger, contentment and guilt

Found:

1. Under-benefited individuals- least satisfied and showed signs of anger
2. Over-benefited women- 2nd least satisfied and most guilty
3. Over benefited men and equal relationships- most satisfied

Question 10

Evaluation of Hatfield’s Newly Wed Questionnaire study(4)

Answer 10

1. Newly weds- not representative + should already be happy- lowers both internal and external validity
2. Questionnaires- lies and bias- lowers internal validity
3. Demand characteristics
4. Doesn’t explain why the over-benefited men were as satisfied as the individuals in equal relationships

Question 11

What did Demarris do and find in the divorced women study(2)

Answer 11

1. Conducted a study to research reasons for marital breakdown
2. Found a correlation between divorce and extremely under-benefited women

Question 12

Evaluative points for Demarris divorced women study(2)

Answer 12

1. Correlational- doesn’t identify a cause and effect
2. Only used women- gender bias- beta bias
3. They are divorced- should be negative about their marriage- bias- lowers internal validity

Question 13

Overall evaluation of Equity theory(4)

Answer 13

1. Too simplistic- can’t explain why people break up when their relationships are equal
2. Heterosexual bias- studies that support only use heterosexual couples
3. Culturally bias- can’t explain relationships in collectivist cultures
4. Quite subjective

Question 14

Name the two theories that explain how a relationship is maintained(2)

Answer 14

1. The Social Exchange Theory

2. Equity Theory