Relationships: Social Exchange Theory Flashcards Preview

Psychology: Paper 3 - Issues & Debates, Relationships, Forensics & Stress > Relationships: Social Exchange Theory > Flashcards

Flashcards in Relationships: Social Exchange Theory Deck (17)
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1
Q

What is the Social Exchange Theory (SET)?

A

Views relationships like a business. Individuals want to maximise their ‘profits’ (rewards) and minimise any ‘losses’ (costs) within the relationship.

2
Q

Who created SET?

A

Thibaut and Kelley (1959)

3
Q

What are the main explanations used in SET

A
  • Rewards, costs and profits
  • Comparison Level (CL)
  • Comparison level for alternatives (CLA)
  • 4 stages of profits and losses
4
Q

What are examples of rewards in a relationship?

A

Emotional support, ex, companionship and care

5
Q

What are the costs in a relationship?

A

Missed opportunities, having to compromise, financial investments.

6
Q

What ways do people compare their relationships?

A
Comparison level (CL)
Comparison level of alternatives (CLA)
7
Q

What is comparison level?

A

Claim they use a comparison level (CL) to actively compare their current relationships with those experienced in previous relationships. Measures the reward you believe you deserve.

8
Q

What is the comparison level of alternatives?

A

People will compare their current profits in a relationship to the likely profits available from other potential relationships.

9
Q

What are the 4 stages for profit and loss?

A
  1. Sampling
  2. Bargaining
  3. Commitment
  4. Institutionalisation
10
Q

What is the sampling stage?

A

The costs and rewards of associating with others are explored.

11
Q

What is the bargaining stage?

A

A process of negotiation in which rewards and costs are agreed.

12
Q

What is the commitment stage?

A

Exchange of rewards and acceptance of costs stabilises. Greater focus on the relationship itself.

13
Q

What is the institutionalisation stage?

A

Norms and expectations are firmly established.

14
Q

What research can be used for SET?

A

Kurdek and Schmitt (1986)

15
Q

What was the method of Kurdek and Schmitt?

A

Each couple completed a questionnaire without discussing their answers with each other.
4 groups: married heterosexual, co-habiting heterosexual, same-sex couples (male + female groups).

16
Q

What was the finding of the Kurdek and Schmitt study?

A

Supports SET. Shows better happiness when high profits compared to losses.

17
Q

Evaluate the Kurdek and Schmitt study?

A
  • High population validity (heterosexual and same-sex couples represented).
  • Questionnaire may lead to socially desirable answers.
  • Argument for good temporal validity.