Social Exchange Theory (Maintenance)

Social Exchange Theory 

Knowledge

> THIBAUT AND KELLEY came up with social exchange theory.

Profit and loss

> All social behaviour is a series of exchanges.

> We attempt to maximise our rewards.

> We attempt to minimise our costs.

> People exchange resources with the expectation/hope that they'll earn a profit. (Companionship, being cared for, etc.).

> Effort, financial investment and time are some of what we consider the costs of a relationship.

> Rewards - costs = the outcome (a profit or loss).

> Social exchange, as with other 'economic' theories of human behaviour, stresses that commitment to a relationship is dependent on the profitability of the outcome.

Comparison level

> Thibaut and Kelley proposed that we develop a comparison level to judge whether one person offers better/worse than another (a standard which we judge all our relationships against).

> If we judge the potential profit in a new relationship exceeds our CL then it'll be judged as worthwhile, and the other person will be seen as attractive.

> If the profit is less than our CL then we'll be dissatisfied with the relationship and the person is therefore less attractive.

Evaluation

Profit and loss

> RUSBULT AND MARTZ said that when investments are high…