Social exchange theory AO3 Flashcards
(12 cards)
Who conducted research to support social exchange theory?
Kurdeck
What did Kurdeck do in their research to support SET?
They asked gay, lesbian and heterosexual couples to complete questionnaires measuring relationship committment and the rewards/costs of their relationship
What did Kurdeck find in their research to support social exchange theory?
He found that those partners who were most committed perceived more rewards and fewer costs and viewed alternative relationships as unattractive.
Why does Kurdeck’s research support social exchange theory?
Kurdeck’s research supports social exchange theory as it suggests experiencing relationship ‘profit’ is important for committed romantic relationships for gay and lesbian couples as well as heterosexual relationships
What is a limitation of research into SET?
A limitation is that much of the research into SET is correlational
Why is much of the research into SET being correlational a problem?
It is a problem because cause and effect cannot be established between lack of profit and dissatisfaction in relationships
What has other research found which suggests cause and effect cannot be established between lack of profit and dissatisfaction?
Other research has found that couples do not monitor costs and rewards, or consider alternatives, until after they become dissatisfied
What has alternative research suggested about the relationship between lack of profit and dissatisfaction in relationships? (correlation peel)
Suggests that dissatisfaction causes us to compare with alternative relationships and consider relationship profit, rather than the other way round
What is a limitation of the theory of SET?
The definitions of rewards in relationships are subjective and SET states that rewards and costs involve money and time which are considered superficial
What is an example of real world rewards and costs being harder to define for couples?
Some couples may regard loyalty as being a reward which vary from couple to couple. It is unclear what the values of comparison levels and comparison with alternatives must be before dissatisfaction threatens a relationship
Why does the rewards in relationships being subjective lower the validity of SET?
The concepts are vague and more difficult to test
What is a stretch evaluation point for SET?
It can be criticised for lacking cultural relativism as the theory applies to individualistic cultures but not to collectivist cultures
