Maintenance of Romantic Relationships

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  • Created by: Gemma
  • Created on: 12-04-14 10:34
2 theories associated with this topic?
Social exchange theory - Thibaut + Kelley & Equity theory - Walster et al
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What does the Social exchange theory state?
social interactions are a series of exchanges where individuals attempt to maximise rewards + minimise costs . rewards= sex,being cared for. costs = time wasted,effort. Outcome =profit-loss. outcome very dependent on profitability of outcome. CL
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What does the Equity theory state?
any inequity has the potential to cause distress,we're more concerned with trying to restore it. Greater perceived inequity- greater dissatisfaction-greater distress. Change ratio of outputs: inputs to restore equity/compare to CL& see if worth it `
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Any formula associated with the Equity theory?
1 partners profit-cost = other partners profit-cost
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What is comparison level?
A standard against all relationships are judged. combination of a product of previous experience + expectations
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What is comparison level for alternative
person weighs us potential increase from another - any costs associated with ending new one. If profit level of potential relationship is higher than old, will take the place of current one
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Rusbult + Martz
Social exchange could be used to explain why women stay in abusive relationships - when there is little option elsewhere , still seen as profitable (SET)
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Marelich et al
267 found undergrads stated that men lie to have sex + women have sex to avoid confrontation. therefore minimizing cost (SET)
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Brown
Doesn't explain all relationships , only exchange relationships (SET)
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Moghaddan
Cultural bias - only concerned with people with high mobility e.g. students - when there's little time to develop a LT relationship should be concerned with give and take (SET)
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Stafford + Canary
Asked 200 married couples to rate their relationship equity + satisfaction. Highest = equitable, lower = over-benefited , lowest=under befitted . This is consistent with predictions from Equity theory (ET)
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Steil and Weltman
When a male has a higher paid job , both the wife + man say his career is more important. But if wife earns more, neither say career is more important. - women trys to maintain equity (ET)
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Ragsdale + Braundau-Brown
Equity not the most important factor in a relationship satisfaction (ET)
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Clark + Mills
Only explains exchange relationships whereby it's important to keep a track of profit + loss (ET)
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Hays
Hedonistic view of humans - we gain satisfaction from giving aswell as receiving
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Any issues with the theory?
Both economic theories - treating sensitive topic as basic calculations which can be solved in a mathematical like manner, when it is much more complex than that.
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Any good points about this topic in general?
this research can be used to help partners in a relationship to maintain it, however further research is needed - too economical ATM
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Card 2

Front

What does the Social exchange theory state?

Back

social interactions are a series of exchanges where individuals attempt to maximise rewards + minimise costs . rewards= sex,being cared for. costs = time wasted,effort. Outcome =profit-loss. outcome very dependent on profitability of outcome. CL

Card 3

Front

What does the Equity theory state?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Any formula associated with the Equity theory?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What is comparison level?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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