Module 2c Transcript - Social Exchange Theory

These flashcards cover the core vocabulary and concepts of Social Exchange Theory and Interdependence Theory based on the provided lecture notes.

Social Exchange Theory

A theory that describes relationships in economic terms, suggesting partners try to maximize their outcomes by identifying perceived payoffs of their behaviours.

Interdependence Theory

A version of social exchange theory created by Andrew Thibaut and Harold Kelley that focuses on how partners evaluate outcomes when two people's outcomes are dependent on one another.

Rewards

The ways a relationship fulfills a partner's needs and desires, which can be material (e.g., clothes and jewellery) or social (e.g., companionship and understanding).

Costs

The consequences of being in a relationship that prevent partners from fulfilling needs or desires, such as emotional distress, loss of self-esteem, or the time and energy required to maintain the bond.

Opportunity Costs

Costs that center around not pursuing other sources of reward—such as meeting new friends or moving to a new city—because of the time and energy spent maintaining a current relationship.

Outcome Equation

The basic calculation used to evaluate a relationship; represented as rewards minus costs: $Rewards - Costs = Outcome$.

Comparison Level (CL)

The standard against which individuals compare their outcomes; it represents what a person expects to get out of a relationship in general.

Satisfaction

A function of how much better (or worse) a person's outcomes are compared to their standards or comparison level ($CL$), rather than just how good outcomes are overall.

Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt)

An individual's evaluation of the likely outcomes available from alternatives to the current relationship, such as another partner or being single.

Dependency

The degree to which an individual feels free to leave a relationship; it is a function of whether outcomes in the current relationship are better than those expected from alternatives ($CLalt$).

Commitment

The sum of connection and intention to remain in a relationship, arising from the combination of satisfaction (outcomes exceeding $CL$) and dependency (outcomes exceeding $CLalt$).

Indispensability

A strategy to increase a partner's dependence by performing tangible benefits like organizing schedules or preparing meals, making oneself harder to replace.