based of the assumption all social behaviour is a series of exchanges to maximise rewards and minimise costs
we are rational beings who seek the most profitable deal
and are inherently selfish in all of our relationships
Thibault and Kelly (1959) describe romantic relationships using the economic terminology of profit (rewards) and loss (costs). They claim that partners in relationships strive to maximise rewards (things like companionship, praise, emotional support, sex) and minimise costs (stress, arguments, compromises, time commitments).
People also use levels of comparison to assess how profitable their relationships are.
The first level, called
Comparison Level (CL), is based a standard of how much reward they deserve to receive in relationships.
depends on previousromantic experiences and cultural norms
People consider relationships worth pursuing if the Comparison Level is equal to, or better than, what they experienced in their previous relationships.
The second level, called Comparison Level for alternatives (CLalt),
concerns a person’s perception of whether other potential relationships (or staying on their own) would be more rewarding than being in their current relationship