Relationships: topic 5 ‘theories of romantic relationships - social exchange theory’

Question 1

what is social exchange theory?

Answer 1

• this they argues that all social behaviour is a series of exchanges where individuals try to maximise their rewards and minimise their costs

Question 2

what are examples of rewards and costs in social exchange theory?

Answer 2

• rewards may include being cared for, companionship and sex
• costs may include effort, financial costs and time wasted (eg missed opportunities with others due to being in that relationship)

Question 3

how do rewards and costs indicate the outcome of a relationship?

Answer 3

• rewards minus the costs indicate the outcome and this will either result in a profit or a loss
• the chances of a relationship being maintained depends on the profitability of this outcome

Question 4

what is comparison level? (CL)

Answer 4

• it is argued that we judge the profit of a relationship against a comparison level
• this is a product of our experiences in past relationships
• If we judge the profit in a relationship exceeds our CL, the relationship will be judged as worthwhile, but not if the outcome is negative

Question 5

what is comparison level of alternatives? (CLalt)

Answer 5

• people may weigh up the potential increase in rewards offered by alternative partners, minus the cost of ending the current relationship
• a relationship may only be maintained if there is no profit to be made from such alternative relationships

Question 6

strengths of social exchange theory

Answer 6

P - evidence to support social exchange theory comes from gottman and levenson
E/E - found the successful marriages had a 5:1 ratio of positive to negative exchanges, but in unsuccessful marriages this ratio was much lower at around 1:1 or less
L - this supports the social exchange theory as those unsuccessful marriages feel they receive more profit and therefore the relationship is maintained

P - practical applications
E - integrated behavioural couples therapy helps partners to break negative patterns of behaviour that may be perceived as costs in a relationship in order to make relationships more positive and profitable
E - research has found that IBCT has resulted in significant improvements for about 2/3 of relationships analysed
L - this suggests that social exchange theory is inappropriate model to explain how relationships are maintained, as without the costs relationships were more positive