*( 6) Theories of Romantic Relationships: Social Exchange theory

What are the rewards, costs and profits that are used to explain this theory?

We form a relationship if it is rewarding

We wish to maximise rewards from a relationship (eg. love, sex, companionship, support) & minimise costs (time, effort, money spent, opportunities lost, risk involved)- HOWEVER these change over time

The rewards minus the costs equals the outcome

The goal is to achieve a situation of profit: where rewards exceed the costs

What is the comparison level?

To judge how one partner compares to another potential one on the profitability front which is based on memories of past experiences combined with expectations of what we want and can expect in the future

What are the comparisons for alternatives?

We weigh up the potential increase in rewards from an alternative partner against any costs associated with ending the current relationship

Stages of relationship development: sampling

We consider the potential rewards and costs of a relationship and compare it with other relationships available at the time

Stages of relationship development: bargaining

We give and receive rewards to test whether a deeper relationship is worthwhile.

Stages of relationship development: commitment

The relationship increases in predictability so each partner knows how to elicit rewards from the other, which lowers costs.

Stages of relationship development: institutionalisation

The relationship norms are developed which establishes the patterns of rewards and costs for each partner.

Evaluation: direction of cause and effect

Claims that dissatisfaction only arises

after a relationships stops being

profitable.

An alternative explanation suggests we

do not consider alternatives until after

we are dissatisfied

Evaluation: Vague concepts

SET deals in concepts that are vague and hard to quantify. Real world rewards are subjective and hard to define.

It is also unclear how a comparison level works

Evaluation: reductionism