Social exchange theory

Question 1

What is social exchange theory

Answer 1

Social Exchange Theory is an economic theory of romantic relationships which considers how partners exchange rewards (companionship, emotional support, sex etc.) and costs (arguments, compromises, time commitments etc.)

The theory proposes that individuals focus on getting more out of a relationship than they put into it.

The theory predicts that relationships that benefit both parties will succeed whereas relationships that are imbalanced will fail.

Question 2

comparisons in a relationship

Answer 2

Comparison level - When we are in a relationship we compare our present relationship to previous relationships we have had and to other people’s relationship

Comparison level for alternatives - We compare our present partner with people around us who we could potentially have a relationship with

Question 3

Four stages of a relationship

Answer 3

1. Sampling: partners consider the potential rewards and costs in the new relationship through direct or indirect interactions and compare it to other relationships available.
2. Bargaining: partners exchange rewards and costs; they negotiate and identify what is the most profitable.
3. Commitment: the relationship is stable and maintained by a predictable exchange of rewards and costs.
4. Institutionalisation: partners have established norms in terms of rewards and costs.

Question 4

Social exchange theory eval (+)

Answer 4

+ Gottman (1992) found evidence that supports the social exchange theory. He found that individuals in unsuccessful marriages frequently report a lack of positive behaviour exchanges with their partner, and an excess of negative exchanges. In successful marriages where the relationship is happy, the ratio or positive to negative exchanges is 5:1, but in unsuccessful marriages the ratio is 1:1.

+ Social Exchange Theory has practical applications. Integrated couples therapy (Jacobson, 2000) helps partners to break negative patterns of behaviours and to decrease negative exchanges, whilst increasing positive exchanges. 66% of couples reported significant improvements in their relationship after receiving this form of therapy.

+ Different people perceive rewards and costs differently so this theory can account for individual differences in attraction.

Question 5

Social exchange theory eval (-)

Answer 5

• Critics of this theory disagree with the idea that people spend a great deal of time monitoring their relationship in terms of rewards and costs. They argue that people only monitor rewards and costs once the relationship becomes dissatisfying. For instance, we only look at comparison levels in a relationship when we are already dissatisfied, not when we are happy and the relationship is successful.
• The social exchange theory is rooted in the Behaviourist Approach whereby the focus of relationship maintenance is about rewards and operant conditioning. However, some relationships have little rewards but many costs,
  (e.g. violent relationships) and yet but they still continue.