Social Exchange Theory

• Economic theory of relationships 


  Partners aim to balance rewards and costs in the relationship
• example of an economic theory

  social exchange theory
• social exchange theory

  we strive to minimise costs and maximise rewards in a relationship - if rewards outweigh the costs we are more likely to stay in the relationship
• Minimax principle 


  We try to minimise costs and maximise rewards
• examples of rewards in a relationship

  being cared for, companionship, emotional support
• examples of costs in a relationship

  stress, arguments, wasted time
• Thibaut & Kelly (1959)

  Suggested we use 2 levels of comparison to assess how profitable our relationships are: comparison level (CL) and comparison level for alternatives (CLalt)
• comparison level of alternatives (CLalt)

  perception of whether other relationships would be more rewarding than their current relationship
• Comparison level

  Perception of how much reward we deserve to receive - based on previous experiences
• stages of social exchange

  sampling - explore potential rewards and costs

  bargaining - partners exchange rewards and costs

  commitment - familiar with each others expectations

  institutionalisation - rewards and costs are well established
• Kurdek & Schmitt (1986)


  studied 185 couples of different sexualities, none of which had children living with them

  each individual completed a questionnaire without discussing their responses with their partner.

  it was found that relationship satisfaction was higher when the benefits outweighed the costs, and when alternatives were deemed less attractive

  supports the social exchange theory
• Sprecher (2001) 


  longitudinal study of 101 couples at a US university - they each completed a questionnaire on rewards and costs, and were asked about alternative relationships

  rewards were a stronger predictor of satisfaction

  when CLalt was high, relationship satisfaction was low
• positive evaluation of social exchange theory

  application to integrated behavioural couples therapy (IBCT) - partners are encouraged to increase positive exchanges in everyday life
• problems with social exchange theory

  validity - what counts as a reward and cost is subjective so difficult to measure

  cause and effect - predicts that people will become dissatisfied when alternative relationships look more rewarding, however Miller (1997) found that dissatisfaction often comes before the comparison

  methodology - based on student couples so not representatives, relies on questionnaires so ppts may give socially desirable answers