9.3.1 Social Exchange Theory

• What does Social Exchange Theory (SET) suggest relationships are evaluated based on?

  Rewards and costs
• Rewards in SET are the positive aspects gained from the relationship
• Costs in SET refer to the negative aspects incurred in a relationship.
• What does the Comparison Level (CL) represent in Social Exchange Theory?

  Standard of satisfaction
• The Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt) is an assessment of potential rewards and costs in other relationships
• Order the factors that determine relationship satisfaction according to SET

  1️⃣ Rewards

  2️⃣ Costs

  3️⃣ Comparison Level (CL)

  4️⃣ Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt)
• What do individuals seek to maximize and minimize in their relationships according to SET?

  Rewards and costs
• Relationships are evaluated using Comparison Levels (CL) according to SET.
• What does a higher CLalt indicate about relationship stability in SET?

  Increased instability
• Equity is valued in relationships because inequity can lead to dissatisfaction
• Match the component of SET with its example:

  Rewards ↔️ Companionship

  Costs ↔️ Arguments
• Resolving disagreements is considered a cost in SET.
• The Comparison Level (CL) reflects past experiences and personal expectations
• What does the Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt) determine in SET?

  Staying or leaving
• A higher CLalt may lead someone to seek other relationships if they believe they can find more rewards elsewhere.
• Social Exchange Theory (SET) suggests that individuals evaluate relationships based on rewards and costs
• Rewards in Social Exchange Theory (SET) refer to positive aspects gained from a relationship.
• The Comparison Level (CL) in SET is the standard against which relationship satisfaction is measured
• What are the key assumptions of Social Exchange Theory (SET)?

  1️⃣ Individuals seek to maximize rewards and minimize costs.

  2️⃣ Relationships are evaluated using Comparison Levels (CL).

  3️⃣ The Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt) impacts stability.

  4️⃣ Equity is valued in relationships.
• Examples of rewards in Social Exchange Theory (SET) include companionship, emotional support, and shared interests
• The comparison level (CL) in SET is based on past relationships and personal expectations.
• Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt) involves evaluating potential rewards and costs in alternative relationships
• Match the components of Social Exchange Theory (SET) with their definitions:

  Rewards ↔️ Positive aspects gained from a relationship

  Costs ↔️ Negative aspects incurred in a relationship

  CL ↔️ Standard for relationship satisfaction
• Empirical support for Social Exchange Theory (SET) comes from research showing that individuals are more satisfied when rewards outweigh costs
• Social Exchange Theory (SET) is criticized for being overly rational and ignoring emotional factors.
• Rewards in SET include positive aspects gained from a relationship, such as companionship and emotional support
• Match the components of Social Exchange Theory (SET) with their examples:

  Rewards ↔️ Companionship

  Costs ↔️ Arguments

  CL ↔️ Past relationship experiences
• What does the Social Exchange Theory (SET) suggest about relationships?

  Evaluate rewards and costs
• Social Exchange Theory (SET) suggests that people evaluate their relationships based on rewards and costs to determine overall satisfaction and stability.
• Match the component of SET with its definition:

  Rewards ↔️ Positive aspects gained

  Costs ↔️ Negative aspects incurred

  Comparison Level (CL) ↔️ Standard for satisfaction

  CLalt ↔️ Potential rewards in alternatives
• If rewards minus costs are greater than or equal to the comparison level, the relationship is satisfactory.
• High CLalt can lead to dissatisfaction even if the relationship is initially good.
• Arrange the assumptions of Social Exchange Theory (SET) in a logical sequence:

  1️⃣ Individuals strive to maximize rewards and minimize costs

  2️⃣ Relationships are evaluated using Comparison Levels (CL)

  3️⃣ CLalt significantly impacts relationship stability

  4️⃣ Equity is highly valued in relationships
• What is the role of equity in relationships according to SET?

  Equity ensures satisfaction
• The equation Rewards - Costs >= CLalt illustrates that an individual will consider seeking alternative relationships if the potential rewards outweigh the costs in other partnerships.
• What are examples of rewards in a relationship according to SET?

  Companionship, emotional support
• Emotional support is an example of a reward, while resolving disagreements requires effort, which is a cost.
• The comparison level (CL) in SET reflects past experiences and future expectations, serving as a standard for measuring satisfaction in a relationship.
• What does CLalt measure in Social Exchange Theory?

  Potential rewards and costs in alternatives
• If Rewards - Costs > = CLalt</latex>, the individual is likely to seek alternative relationships.