Describe and evaluate two theories on the maintenance of relationships

Describe and Evaluate two theories on the maintenance of relationships

Thibaut and Kelley suggest that relationships run according to a 'balance sheet principle'

• rewards are exchanged for resources: sex, security or compassion
• costs result in loss or punishment: abuse or boredom 

SET assumes all social behaviours are a series of exchanges

• something is given and something is gained

Relationships run like a business

• profit can be calculated from subtracting costs from rewards

SET is based on operant conditioning

• we form and maintain relationships that are reinforcing and rewards outweigh the costs

Thibaut and Kelley introduced two reference levels:

Comparison level

• based on memories of past relationships and expectations of what we want and expect for the future
• if the reference relationship is favourable we are motivated to stay

Comparison level of alternatives

• concerned with benefits of possible alternative relationships
• states that we compare outcomes of reference relationships with others we could have

Negative

• culturally biased
  • majority of research done was in western cultures

• portrays humans as selfish and calculating

• doesn't explain why we leave without alternatives

Positive:

• has had much research put into it

• explains why people stay in abusive relationships
  • lack of alternatives and low expectations due to bad past experiences

Walster et al modified the social exchange theory into the equity theory. 

• This considers investment

Equity theory assumes people strive to achieve fairness in their relationship.

People only consider a relationship to be fair and satisfactory if what they gain reflects what they give

Study 1: Hatfield et al

500 students were asked to judge the fairness in their relationships

• students in inequitable relationships were more likely to end it
  

This study is age and culturally biased (students in a western culture) therefore lacks generalisabiltiy

Hatfield et al found that women are more distressed when over-benefited whereas men are more uncomfortable with being under-benefited

It was also found that women are more likely to engage in martial affairs

• perhaps to give more equitable balance in a relationship

Clark and Mills identified two types of couples:

Communal couples

• concern and positive regard for the other motivates the giving

Exchange couple

• A form of score keeping that is predicted by the social exchange theory

Culturally biased

• Equity theory is more characteristic to individualist culture
• Evidence shows that in collectivist cultures there is a greater tendency to allocate resources according to needs and not equity

Two explanations for this:

• Where there is poverty and great need the norm of justice is based on meeting needs and not equity
• Individualist societies stress independence and personal achievements and doesn't value interdependence and community needs