Dynamics and Processes of the Community

Social Exchange and Rational Choice Theory

A theory stating that people interact based on self-interest and make choices by weighing costs and benefits to determine what best serves their goals.

Self-Interest

The motivation driven by evolutionary tendencies to survive and achieve personal goals.

Social Exchange

The process where individuals exchange ideas and socialize with others while considering rewards, punishments, and benefits.

Rational Choice

The process where individuals review costs and benefits to choose the option that best suits their interests.

Assumptions Under Social Exchange

People weigh incentives and trade-offs, maximize rewards, make interrelated choices, and act within social norms and expectations.

Utility Maximizers

People who choose actions that provide the greatest rewards or benefits.

Cost-Benefit Review

The process of comparing possible costs and benefits before making a decision.

Bounded Rationality

The limitation of people’s decision-making due to lack of information and influence from other actors’ choices.

Competition

A process where individuals or groups compete for limited opportunities or resources.

Conflict

A deliberate struggle where actors attempt to defeat or oppose others, often using stronger or coercive tactics.

Difference Between Competition and Conflict

Competition focuses on reaching a goal, while conflict aims to defeat the opposing actor and may involve more personal or violent actions.

Cooperation

A process where people work together and contribute to achieve a common goal that may be difficult to accomplish individually.

Accommodation

A state of neutrality in social interactions where individuals agree to maintain the status quo, similar to compromise.

Social Change

The fluctuations or deviations in the order of society that affect institutions, norms, cultures, and social structures.

Causes of Social Change

Social change may occur due to opposing forces within communities, changes in conditions, and changes in civic participation, trust, policies, and resource distribution.

Community

The most important element in creating social change, where members’ choices, participation, and actions help address problems and create progress.

Social Participation

The act of taking part in movements, organizations, projects, and community efforts that contribute to social change.