SocialExchangeTheory

• what is SET?

  Social exchange theory
• the SET is what?

  an 'economic' theory that assumes romantic partners act of self-interest in exchanging rewards and cost
• When is a satisfied and committed relationship maintained?

  When rewards exceed costs and potential alternatives are less attractive than the current relationship
• What is SET about?

  Considering whether a relationship is worth it
• what does SET include?

  weighing up what one does and doesn't do - known as costs and rewards

  • eg 'i have to make enough money to support both of us '
  • eg ' i did that for you'
• who proposed SET?

  Thibaut and Kelley
• costs examples?

  less time with friends and family

  compromises eg on where to live
• Benefit examples?

  • intimacy
  • company
  • emotional support
• Cons of SET?

  subjective- how do we measure these cost and benefit concepts
• cons of SET?

  Changes over time- costs vs rewards may differ at the start and the end of a relationship
• What is a successful relationship ...?

  a successful relationship is a 'profitable one' because the rewards outweigh costs
• When will a state of 'loss' occur?


  If the costs state to outweigh the rewards
• Profit = ?

  committment to that relationship
• key underlying feature of SET?

  Partners are continually giving and receiving (exchanging items of value- doesn't have to be tangible) #
• Both partners are what?

  Selfish- each wants to feel like they're getting the most out of the relationship ie be the one that is over benefitting

  • this is measured by looking at the costs and rewards/benefits in relationships
• what does SET suggest?

  That both individuals have to feel as though they are profiting for a relationship to be successful ie it is mutually benefitting
• who proposed set?

  thibault and kelley
• Thibault and Kelley claim ......?

  That partners in relationships strive to maximise rewards and minimise costs
• notions of rewards and costs are what?

  subjective
• costs tend to what?

  Change over time - what is considered costly at the beginning of the relationship seems less so as relationships develop
• what do people use to assess how profitable their relationships are?

  levels of comparison
• what do individuals use?

  Levels of comparison to assess how profitable their relationship is
• what are the 2 levels of comparison?


  • Comparison Level - CL
  • Sociocultural Norms