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RELATIONSHIPS (SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY= THIBAUT AND KELLEY =assumption that…
RELATIONSHIPS
SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY= THIBAUT AND KELLEY =assumption that all social behaviour is a series of exchanges. Looks at the costs of the relationship and wanting to minimize the costs and wanting to maximise rewards (want ti be in a profit situation). ONLY OUR PERCEPTION- MAYBE DISTORTED
EXAMPLES OF COSTS
EFFORT-emotional effort, effort in organising things
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COMPARISON LEVEL (CL)= judging our current relationship against our 'ideal relationship' - if the CL is above our current relationship then find them less attractive. if current one= higher than CL then find more attractive and maintain the relationship.
WHAT INFLUENCES OUR CL?
PARENTAL ROLE MODELLING= divorces, separations etc may have lower expectations, if parents have more stable relationship- then have higher expectations.
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CLA (COMAPRISON LEVEL FOR ALTERNATIVES)= when in relationship we weigh up our current relationship (profit and loss) with an alternative situation- another partner/ or being on your own
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EQUITY THEORY= weighs up your rewards and costs and then considers partner's rewards and costs and look at the two together and decide if its fair
if both in same situation when it comes to profit, then that's fair and can both be in a loss situation then its still fair. If you see it as fair, then its likely to maintain- but if you percieved that they're getting more out of it then you will question that. and even if you're getting more out of it- still wont be happy- may fee guilty
HATFIELD AND RAPSON
- RESTORATION OF ACTUAL EQUITY= talk to partner and make things right .
- RESTORATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL EQUITY= people get into state of denial- convince themselves it is fair when in reality It isn't
- If couples are unable to restore equity in their relationship, they can leave it- this can be physically (divorce) or emotionally (no longer have feelings for their partner)
said how couples are concerned depends on stages- initial stages, where equity= important. once you become committed to eachother- become less concerned- dont keep score so much- if you are equitable- people less likely to have affairs and relationships last longer
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KEY STUDY= STAFFORD AND CANRAY= asked over 200 married couples to complete measures of equity and relationship satisfaction and asked about relationship maintenance strategies like assurances, sharing tasks and positivity.
FINDINGS= satisfaction= highest for those who percieved relationships to be equitable- so more likely to contribute to their partners sense of happiness and equity, followed by over benefited and then under benefited.
EVALUATION
THEORY ASSUMES THAT EVERYONE IS EQUALLY SENSEITIVE TO EQUITY AND INEQUITY. BUT HUSEMAN CAME UP WITH EQUITY SENSITIVITY- 3 TYPES OF PEOPLE: BENEVOLENTS- WHO ARE GIVERS - MORE TOLERANT OF UNDER REWARDED INEQUITY. EQUITY SENSITIVES= IN LINE WITH EQUITY THEORY. ENTITLEDS PRFER TO BE OVER REWARDED- SO DISATISFIED WITH UNDER REWARDDED OR EQUITABLE SITUATION
Gender differences= women tend to perceive themselves as more underbenfited and less over benefited compared to men. women are disturbed by being under benefited than are men. and women feel more guilt than men in response to being over benefited.
cultural differences= equity not as important in non western cultures- more research into the theory in US and western Europe- people in different cultures differed in how fair and equitable they considered relationship to be. both men and women from us claimed to be in the most equitable relationships but both claimed to be in least equitable in Jamaica
Clark= in most relationships couples dont think in terms of reward or equity- if they do so- then is a sign that marriage is in trouble- according to this argument dissatisfaction with a relationship is the CAUSE not the consequence of inequity.
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THE FILTER THEORY
KEVCHOFF AND DAVIS=Suggests that we chose romantic partners by using a series of filters to narrow down the filed of practical probables
THE 3 FILTERS
THE SOCIAL DEMOGRAPHIC FILTER=refers to age, geographical location and social background like ethnic group, class etc - we are likely to come into contact with people who live near us and who are in the same ethnic group and educational group as us. - likely to be attracted to these people as they have something in common with us
FEVINGER= people who live near the stairway of their apartment block have more friendships and more contact to the other residents- may affect the no. of possible partners
CLARK= found that 50% of citizens of ohio, Columbus, USA lived walking distance away from their married partner
the availability of possible romantic partners has changed over time as well as across cultures- due to changes in attitudes towards people in relationships of different social backgrounds
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SIMILARITY IN ATTITUDES AND VALUES = where people who share these similar attitudes are more likely to be attracted to that person- if people have different political or religious views than may cause tension
KERCHOFF AND DAVIS= studied 94 uni couples and gave them 2 questionnaires on degree of similar attitudes and degree of complementary needs - found similarity in attitudes was important to shorter term relationships whereas complementarity of needs was important to longer term relationships
BUT LEVINGER failed to replicate these findings - found no evidence that these 2 factors influenced progress towards permanence in a relationship and said that the questionnaires used weren't appropriate due to change in social values
COMPLEMENTARITY OF NEEDS= where an individual is attracted to someone who has different needs to them because this meets their own needs- e.g someone who is very emotional and wild being with someone who is more laid back
RELATIONSHIP BREAKDOWN
DUCK'S 5 PHASE MODEL
- BREAKDOWN= where one of the partners= distressed with relationship- may be inequity
- THE INTRAPSYCHIC PHASE= social withdrawal, brooding on partners faults - considering If you would be better off leaving the relationship - may keep feeling to themselves.
- THE DYADIC PHASE = confront their partners and discuss feelings- cause anxiety, guilt and anger - will discuss dissatisfaction - look at investments that may prevent them from separating- can be saved
- THE SOCIAL PHASE=goes public to family and friends- makes it harder to deny- friends may take sides- alliances- offer support/ advice may cause breakup
THE GRAVE DRESSING PHASE= after leaving relationship , partners try to justify actions each partner must present themselves as loyal and trustworthy to others- so construct a representation of failed relationship, tidy memories and prepare stories for different audiences
EVALUATION
Duck realised that his model didnt consider personal growth-so ROLLIE AND DUCK introduced new model with final stage - 'resurrection processes'- move beyond distress and instead engage in personal growth
TASHIRO AND FRAIZER supported this- surveyed 92 undergraduates who had recently broken up with their partner- reported not only experienced emotional distress but also personal worth
SOCIAL PHASE DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP=teenagers and young adults relationships seen as unstable so friends and family may receive sympathy but no real attempt for reconciliation. Whereas older people in longer term relationship have lower expectations of being able to find replacement - so more obvious attempts from peers to rescue relationship
BENEFITS OF THE GRAVE DRESSING PHASE= MONROE- found that students who experienced breakup had a greater risk of developing a major depressive disorder- BUT Tashiro and fraizer found grave dressing phase helps with psychological wellbeing
ETHICAL ISSUES= sensitive area- disuse, privacy, confidentiality