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Social Exchange Theory - Coggle Diagram
Social Exchange Theory
Comparison Level (CL)C
SET is an economic theory, uses economics and operant conditioning. Relationships forms if its rewarding. Attempt to maximise rewards, minimise costs and commit if outcome is profitable.
How profit is measured in romantic relationships as a standard against which all relationships are judged.
It is formed from all our experiences of previous relationships plus our views of what we expect from a particular exchange. It is influenced by social norms and media.
CL changes as we acquire more data to set it by. If we judge potential profit of a new relationship to exceed CL, it will be judged as worthwhile. If outcome is negative, we will be dissatisfied in the relationship.
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Kurdek and Schmitt 1986
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Findings
Greater relationship satisfaction was associated with the perception of many benefits of the current relationship (CL)
Greater relationship satisfaction was associated with seeing alternatives to the current relationship as less attractive. (CLalt)
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Evaluation
The study was done on couples with no children but having children would significantly impact the perceived costs and rewards of the relationship. However it takes various types of relationship into account so has real life application.
Strength - real life application. The model can be used within relationship counselling to try and find rewards within the relationship, or add to the relationship.
Limit - What is a 'cost' or a 'benefit'? - people do not universally agree on this. What may be a cost in Western culture such as having more than one spouse may be a reward in other non-Western cultures.
Limit - Inconsistent empirical research - Clark and Mills (1979) - identified 2 different styles of couples (communal and exchange). In communal couples they have positive regard for each other and believe over them each will receive equal cost/benefits. The exchange couples are more about 'here and now'.