Theories Of Romantic Relationships: SET Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Theories Of Romantic Relationships: SET Deck (26)
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1
Q

What does SET mean

A

Social exchange theory

2
Q

What does SET assume

A

Relationships are guided by the minimax principle

3
Q

What did Thibault and Kelley propose

A

Relationships could be explained in terms of economics - it is an exchange of goods or less tangible things such as doing a favour

4
Q

How is satisfaction judged

A

In terms of profit - partners are motivated to minimise the costs to themselves whilst maximising rewards

5
Q

What kind of relationships continue?

A

Profitable ones

6
Q

Give some examples of a cost

A

Loss of time or stress

7
Q

Give some examples of a reward

A

Sex, praise or companionship

8
Q

What else needs to be accounted for

A

Opportunity cost - the recognition that investment in a given relationship is at the cost of expending those resources somewhere else

9
Q

What is a measure of profit

A

Comparison level

10
Q

What is comparison level

A

A judgment of the reward level we expect in a relationship, determined by relationship experiences and social norms

11
Q

When will people generally pursue a relationship

A

When the CL is high (some people with low self esteem may have low CL’s)

12
Q

What is an additional measure of profit

A

CLalt

13
Q

What is CLalt

A

Comparison level for alternatives

14
Q

What is comparison level for alternatives

A

Involves considering whether we might gain more rewards and endure fewer costs in a different relationship - assuming that we can only select one partner

15
Q

When will people stay in a relationship

A

Despite alternatives, when we consider it is more rewarding that the alternatives

16
Q

What did Duck suggest

A

That here are always alternatives around - if costs of current relationship outweigh rewards then alternatives become more attractive

17
Q

What did Duck say about if we are in a satisfying relationship

A

We may not even notice the alternatives

18
Q

What are the four stages of a relationship

A
  1. Sampling stage
  2. Bargaining stage
  3. Commitment stage
  4. Institutionalisation stage
19
Q

What is the sampling stage

A

Involves exploring rewards and costs by experimenting in our relationship and observing others (not just romantic)

20
Q

What is the bargaining stage

A

Occurs at start of a relationship where romantic partners negotiate around costs and rewards

21
Q

What is the commitment stage

A

Where relationships become more stable, costs reduce and rewards increase

22
Q

What is the institutionalisation stage

A

When partners become settled because the norms of a relationship are established

23
Q

Name a limitation of SET

A

Assumes all relationships are exchange based - Clark and Mills

24
Q

What did Clark and Mills do

A
Argued that exchange relationships may involve profit (e.g. Work colleagues) 
Communal relationships (e.g. Romantic partners) involve giving and receiving of rewards without thinking of profit
25
Q

What did Clark and Mills suggest

A

At the start of a romantic relationship tallying of exchanges might be viewed with some suspicion and even distaste

26
Q

Why does the Clark and Mills study act as a limitation for SET

A

Suggests SET may not provide a suitable explanation for all types of relationships