Social exchange theory
(Thibaut and Kelley) based
on profit and loss, and a
comparison level
AO1
Profit and Loss: Aim to maximise
rewards and minimise costs. If the
profits out weigh the costs then the
relationship will succeed
AO2
Rasbult and Martz: use this theory
to explain why some women stay in
abusive relationships. If the
investments are high, such as
children and financial security, and
alternatives are low, such as no
money and nowhere else to live; it
would be considered as a profit
situation and the woman would stay
Cultural bias: Moghaddam -
'economic' theories only
apply to short-term, high
mobility western cultures ie
uni students
Reductionist: breaks down
relationship into basic social
interactions that are focused
on selfish rewards of individual
It also fails to take into
account of the notion of
fairness between the two
individuals leading to equality
rather than a constant
seeking of profits
Comparison level
AO1
Thibaut and Kelley suggest we develop a
comparison level which is a level that we
judge all our relationships against.
Comparison level can come from previous
relationships, media or parents. If we
judge the potential profit in a new
relationship exceeds our comparison level
then we will judge the relationship as
worthwhile. Can use this comparison level
to explain why we might leave our current
partner to enter a new relationship
AO2
A way of dealing with potential threats is to get rid of them.
Simpson asked P's to rate members of the opposite sex in
terms of attractiveness; those P's who were involved in a
relationship gave lower ratings than the single P's
supporting comparison level.
Flaw of comparison level is that
it fails to explain why people
leave relationships despite
having an alternative
Social exchange theory can be used to explain how sex is used as an
exchange resource in intimate relationships. Marelich found when surveying
american student, men were more likely to use blatant lies, such as caring for
the woman or commitment, to have sex than women who are more likely to
have sex to avoid confrontation, gain partner approval and promote intimacy.
This shows that sexual deception is part of the social exchange process; the
rewards are the pleasure of sex and positve relationships and the costs are
sexual deception and unwanted sex
Equity theory (Walster et al)
Inequity and
distress (Messick and Cook)
AO1
Fairness in relationships. People who strive to achieve fairness
in their relationships and feel distressed if they perceive
unfairness. If an individual puts more in than they get out they
would perceive inequity, equally if they receive more than they
give they will also experience inequity. The greater the
perceived inequity, they greater the dissatisfaction and greater
the distress
AO2
Stafford and Canary asked over 200 married
couples to complete measures of equity and
relationship satisfaction. They found that the
highest satisfied P's were those who
perceived their relationships to be equitable.
These findings support equity theory
Ratio of inputs
and outputs
AO1
Equity doesn't necessarily mean equality.
Equity is concerned with perceived ratio of
inputs and outputs: an equitable relationship
should be one where the partner's benefits
minus their costs equals their partner's
benefits less their costs.
If we perceive inequality in our relationship we are motivated
to restore it. For example, we may change the amount we
put into a relationship and/or the amount we demand from
the relationship. We may also compare our relationships to
our CL for other relationships to see whether we should
continue the relationships or start a new one.
AO2
What happens if the relationship is inequitable? DeMaris
wanted to find out whether marital inequity is associated
with later marital disruption. He used 1500 couples as
part of the US national survey of families and households
and found that the only association of marital inequity
and marital disruption was the women's sense of being
under benefited in cases of divorce
Slightly supports but the gender differences makes it difficult to
completely support.