Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Maintenance
- Social Exchange Theory
- A01
- Commitment to a relationship
depends on profitability
- Idea is to maximise
profit and minimise
costs
- COSTS= Time
wasted, effort,
financial investment
- REWARDS= Being
cared for, sex and
companionship
- We develop a comparison level (CL). CL is the
standards which all relationships are judged. Its
formed by past relationships and expectations
- If profit exceeds the CL, the relationship is
worthwhile and will work
- A02
- Supporting Evidence...
- RUSBULT AND MARTZ- explains why
women stay in abusive relationships.
When investments are high and
alturnatives low (eg no money) could be
considered a profit situation
- SIMPSON- asked pps
to rate members of
opposite sex in terms of
attractiveness. Those in
relationships gave
lower rating.
- However...
- Doesnt explain why people
leave relationships despite
having no alturnative
- Focuses too much
on individuals
perspectives and
selfish concerns
- LOTT- Doesnt take into
consideration level of
importance. For example
money means more to
women than men.
- 'Economic Theory'
- Equity Theory
- A01
- People strive for fairness. if
its not fair, the relationship is
INEQUITABLE
- If recieve more than give -
Feel guilty
- If recieve nothing but give
a lot - Feel distressed
- If relationship is inequitable,
motivated to restore it
- Equity is judged by ration of
inputs and outputs
- A02
- Supporting Evidence...
- STAFFORD AND CANARY- 200 married
couples, relationship satisfaction is higher if
relationship is equitable
- However...
- CLARK AND MILLS- Equity less important in long term
relationships. Was found to only characterise relationships
with business partners or business associates
- A03
- CULTURAL BIAS- only
applies to relationships in
western cultures. Only
applies to short term
relationships among
individuals with high mobility
Eg Students
- GENDER BIAS- men and
women judge equity
differently.
- SOCIALLY SENSITIVE-
Women may not want to
admit they are only with
someone for the profits such
as money