Theories of romantic relationships

Question 1

What is social exchange theory?

Answer 1

An economic approach to understanding romantic relationships. Suggests people stay in relationships based on a cost - benefit analysis - weighing rewards against costs

Question 2

Who developed social exchange theory?

Answer 2

Thibaut and kelly (1959)

Question 3

What are examples of rewards in social exchange theory?

Answer 3

Companionship, sex

Question 4

What are examples of costs in social exchange theory?

Answer 4

Negative aspects of a relationship e.g arguments, time investment

Question 5

Who devised the 4 stages of relationships?

Answer 5

Thibaut + kelly

Question 6

What are the 4 stages of relationships?

Answer 6

Sampling stage
Bargaining stage
Commitment stage
Institutionalisation stage

Question 7

What is the sampling stage?

Answer 7

Individuals explore rewards and costs, either by direct experience or observing others

Question 8

What is the bargaining stage

Answer 8

Partners exchange rewards and costs, negotiate roles and figure out the most beneficial dynamics

Question 9

what is the commitment stage?

Answer 9

the relationship stabilises, with partners becoming more familiar with each others rewards and costs, leading to more predictable interactions

Question 10

what is the institutionalisation stage?

Answer 10

norms of the relationship are well established, and the relationship becomes settled

Question 11

what is a comparison level?

Answer 11

refers to a person’s expectations of what they deserve or should receive in a relationship e,g emotional support
- influenced by previous experiences and cultural norms

Question 12

what is a comparison level for alternatives?

Answer 12

refers to the evaluation of whether another relationship or being single would provide more rewards or fewer costs than currently

Question 13

strengths of social exchange theory

Answer 13

real life application - used in integrated couples behavioural therapy. increases positive changes. research shows this therapy leads to improvements in relationships

supporting research - kudrek asked couples to complete questionnaires measuring relationship commitment. found those who who were most committed perceived the most rewards and fewest costs

Question 14

weaknesses of social exchange theory

Answer 14

reductionist - oversimplifies relationships by only focusing on costs and rewards

rewards and costs are subjective, meaning different individuals may have different perceptions of the two

Question 15

what is equity theory?

Answer 15

an economic theory which looks at relationships through fairness - suggests individuals seek a balance of rewards and costs, and expects balance to be equitable between both partners

Question 16

what is meant by fairness?

Answer 16

must be a balance between what each partner gives and receives in a relationship

if one partner gives more than they receive, they may feel dissatisfied. if one gives less than they receive, they may feel guilty

Question 17

what is meant by distribution?

Answer 17

balance of rewards and costs is negotiated - for example one may clean and the other may cook

Question 18

what is meant by realignment?

Answer 18

If the relationship feels unfair, one or both partners may increase their efforts in order to restore equity

Question 19

strengths of equity theory

Answer 19

empirical support - utne et al found couples who deemed their relationships equitable were on the whole more satisfied - supporting the theory

predictive value

Question 20

limitations of equity theory

Answer 20

individual differences - we have different judgements and tolerances to inequity, highlighting role of personality

cultural bias - in collectivist cultures, over benefitting can lead to greater satisfaction - challenges universality

gender differences - sprecher found that women are more sensitive to inequity - gender may influence perceptions of fairness

Question 21

how can equity theory be applied

Answer 21

conflict resolution
relationship maintenance

Question 22

what is rusbult’s investment model of commitment?

Answer 22

expands on social exchange theory and seeks to explain why people stay committed to relationships even when the costs outweigh the rewards.

Question 23

what are the three levels proposed by rusbult’s model?

Answer 23

satisfaction level
investment size
commitment level

Question 24

what is meant by satisfaction level

Answer 24

refers to rewards received in a relationship, such as companionship

Question 25

what is meant by investment size?

Answer 25

includes both tangible and intangible resources invested in the relationship, including time and money. investments create sense of loss if the relationship was to end.

Question 26

what is meant by commitment level / comparison with alternatives?

Answer 26

this is the individuals desire to maintain the relationship. this starts high due to high satisfaction but has been known to decrease over time

Question 27

strengths of rusbult's investment model

Answer 27

supporting research - le and agnew (2003) found satisfaction, comparison with alternatives and investment are predictors of commitment, supporting the model's core concepts real world application - model explains why people stay in abusive relationships cross cultural validity - a meta analysis found the model applies across both individualist and collectivist cultures

Question 28

what are some limitations of rusbult's model?

Answer 28

correlational data - size of investment etc is not directly correlated with commitment levels methodological issues - self report techniques are often used. Not always reliable. however effective for capturing personal perceptions reductionist - breaks relationship commitment down to satisfaction, investments and alternatives

Question 29

What is duck's phase model of relationship breakdown?

Answer 29

suggests the breakdown of a relationship is not a single event but is rather a system of stages or phases a couple goes through

Question 30

what are the 5 stages of duck's model?

Answer 30

intra - psychic phase dyadic phase social phase grave dressing phase resurrection phase

Question 31

what is the intra - psychic stage?

Answer 31

focus - internal dissatisfaction one partner reflects on the problems in the relationship, weighing the pros and cons and considering alternatives

Question 32

what is the dyadic stage?

Answer 32

focus - confrontation between partners partners discuss their dissatisfaction, discussions often revolve around equity or commitment

Question 33

what is the social phase?

Answer 33

focus - making breakup public partners involve friends and family who may be involved in breakup process social pressure often makes reconciliation more difficult

Question 34

what is the grave dressing phase?

Answer 34

focus - post breakup narrative creation partners construct their own versions of why the relationship ended, often minimising their own faults while blaming the other protects self image and prepares future relationships

Question 35

what is the resurrection phase?

Answer 35

focus - personal growth and learning partners reflect on lessons from the relationship to improve future relationships

Question 36

strengths of duck's phase model

Answer 36

Real life application - model is useful in relationship counselling different treatments can be used based on stages Empirical support - Tashiro and frazier - found people respond better from breakups when they view the situation as responsible - aligns with grave dressing phase

Question 37

limitations of duck's phase model

Answer 37

doesn't explain causes - model describes process of breakdown but does not address why dissatisfaction begins cultural bias - based on individualist cultures. In collectivist cultures families may be more involved and breakups less likely to follow this cycle ethical issues - researching breakups may cause emotional stress to participants