In a perfect world each relationship would have no issues. The problem is the real word isn’t perfect. Whether it is a marriage or a friendship many problems can arise. The question is why is this the case. Most people are picking these type of relationships, it would make sense to choose the one with the least amount of complications. Yet everyone still has that one friend that always causes them a headache or a terrible partner that no one can see why they are still together. The key is to figure out the why in those conundrums. This has been done with one simply theory. Social exchange theory spells out the idea of why people stay in a relationship that might be seen as negative from the outside. Each person has their own limits and with …show more content…
This is a key for humans. While this simplistic assumption of what people want from other is a critique of this theory, I believe it spells out the idea of friendship very well. We live in a world where people want to get someone for themselves out of whatever they are doing. This is a sad fact of the way society has grown. We have turned very selfish but I do not look at is as always a negative thing. By taking the rewards and subtracting the cost of a relationship there could be times that a person can get out of a toxic relationship before it becomes damaging to them. The reason I like to apply this theory to my friendships is that it does help you see a bigger picture of the whole bond and not the element that just happened. If someone was to just take the reward that was just given to them, such as a friend helping them study all night, but doesn’t see the cost of that same friend leaving during the study session because her boyfriend called a toxic friendship could be formed. It is important to see both sides of the …show more content…
Having the equation equal worth lets the person applying this theory to their life know how they see their worth too. If most of their relationships are negative worth that person might look at their own worth in a negative light as well. I think this theory can be applied to not only social relationships but the relationship that you have with yourself. This is something that would be a little more complicated to compare the rewards and costs that you give yourself but could be a helpful way to see how your worth. To be able to have positive social relationships it is important to have a positive relationship with yourself. This theory would be a very helpful guide to be able to make sure you are keeping a positive worth relationship with
This particular clip from Friends made me think of another notable reality television show, The Bachelor, which also demonstrates the social exchange theory. This theory has the role in explaining why people stay in relationships. This social exchange theory yearns for some sort of reward that can encompass in companionship or even as a financial investment. The idea of companionship can be related to the television show, The Bachelor, which exhibits the male constantly weighting the cost and benefit of each woman. Each person in the show is competing for a chance at love, ultimately trying to win someones heart. The reward in it all, is the hope in finding their potential wife or husband. The example from the video clip down below, shows the
The social exchange theory is prevalent within the three main characters in the novel Road Ends by Mary Lawon. The exchange theory is the idea that an individual makes a choice by weighing out the costs and benefits of a situation (Families in Canada, 2007. Pg. 42). Megan, Edward, and Tom all find themselves in very troubling situations, where they must examine what they have to offer and make a decision according to the costs and benefits. Megan often finds herself putting the benefits of others above what is best for her. Edward, her father, tries to shelter others from himself, but he only ends up hurting them more, instead of contributing all of his affection to them. Tom holds a more selfish view on the world, which impacts his ability to properly examine all the factors that affect his situation.
In “Social Behavior as Exchange”, Homans outlines an exchange paradigm, which in its basic form, seeks to explain social behavior in terms of costs and rewards. Homans based his exchange paradigm on the principles of behavioral psychology, and sought to explain the "sub-institutional," or elementary, forms of social behavior in small groups. In doing so, he sees social exchange as a set of general propositions that in explanation of human behavior, constitute a necessary starting point for examining issues related to social structure. The current role of theory in small group research makes the connection between experimental and real life studies, to consolidate the propositions that empirically hold true in the two fields, and to show how
friendship that it is so valuable? And, more specifically, how does this truth fit with
...ip and they lack what it takes for a real friendship to flourish. Aristotle talks about how “cities are built around friendships” and believe this to be so true because friendships can mature into such greater things. A friendship consists of so many things within it, a true virtuous relationship relies on communication, trust, loyalty, and many other things. These qualities that make up a good friendship are nonexistent in a Utility or Pleasure relationship.
A friendship relies on the goodness of both people; if goodness is not present the friendship will cease to exist. Cicero uses many different instances in his book Laelius: On Friendship to explain how a friendship relies on the goodness of both people to survive. First he starts by talking about the types of friendships that come to an end when goodness ceases to exist. He explains that some friendships rely on advantages, but these friendships never last. He states that “if advantages were what kept friendships together, the removal of that advantage would mean that the friendship itself would cease to exist” (194). A friendship should rely on the qualities of both people, and not on the advantages you get from them. Cicero explains that “when a man shows kindness and generosity, his motive in doing so is not just too exact repayment” (193). Next he talks about friendships that fail due to one person asking too much of the other. He brings in the example of Tiberius Gracchus, “As for Tiberius Gracchus, when he was disrupting the government, we saw how Quintus
With friends, our lives will be better, our days will be full of joy, and our unhappiness will fade away. Friends will take care when we are in need as we will support them in everything with the best we have. Life with friends will always give us wonderful memories that we will never forget for the rest of our days. Works Cited Viorst, Judith. A. Necessary Losses: The Lovers, Illusions, Dependencies and Impossible Expectations That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Grow.
The theory I originally chose to critique was the Social Exchange and Rational Choice framework from our class book. I chose this theory because when we talked about it in class it made a lot of sense to me. Its propositions and foundations are very applicable to many situations, and I felt like I had a good grasp of its concepts and structure. However, in doing research for this paper, I discovered that contrary to what our book led me to believe, Social Exchange is a theory entirely separate from Rational Choice theory. So, in keeping with this discovery and despite my better judgment, I will do my best to relay and critique the information I find on either one or both theories and then compare only Social Exchange theory to the Symbolic Interaction framework. Although I will try to get the same information for both theories, there are not many resources which describe Social Exchange theory, and there are far more for Rational Choice theory, so the critique and discussion may be a little lopsided.
Aristotle presents his view of the mutual desire for good in others, or Friendship in his work, The Nicomachean Ethics. He asserts that friendship comes in three types, Virtue Friendship, Use Friendship, and Pleasure Friendship. He distinguishes Virtue Friendship as the perfect friendship, leaving Use Friendship and Pleasure friendship as deficient friendships. C.S. Lewis presents his view of friendship, which is motivated by appreciation love, in his book The Four Loves in a manner seeming to correspond to Aristotle’s concept of Virtue Friendship. Lewis also presents his perception of Companionship, which seems to correspond to Aristotle’s notion of Use and Pleasure Friendships. Lewis presents a more modern and seemingly accurate rehabilitation
There are many valuable things in life like family, sports, school but what about friendship? To live life without friendship is something no one should ever go through. Friendship is a necessity to living a successful life. Friendship occurs when someone is a supporter, gives assistance, and is attached to someone all the while genuinely taking care of them when they are hurt (The definition of friend, 1995-2002). A good and healthy friendship can be defined fro individuals as when someone has his or her own support system, a friend being loyal, and will always have genuine and mutual trust.
The friendship of utility is described as a shallow one that can be “easily dissolved”. He views them like this because he states this type of friendship is easily lost. The only true reason these relationships exist according to Aristotle is the idea that both or one of the people has something to offer that the other needs. The bond between the two people is held as long as it is beneficial to either one or both of the individuals in the friendship. So although the people may smile at each other or make small talk if they happen to run across each other’s path, no true relationship is present. If the bond is broken and one or both individuals are no longer being benefitted through the relationship, it ends. I agree with Aristotle’s idea of this specific type of friendship. The utility friendship appears to be just a normal acquaintance. In that case, that leaves a wide number of people this encompasses. There will be a massive amount of utility friendships one will obtain in his or her lifetime d...
...; With the use of applying this theory to an episode as a demonstration, an application, and then an explanation, it is easy to see how the Social Exchange theory is related to everyday situations. Not only can the theory be applied to amorous relationships, but to that of friendships. The utility of the theory is seen in just about every type of interaction and is key to better understanding why relationships, friendships, or any mutual interaction, for that matter, turn out being costly or rewarding.
Social Exchange theory was created by George Homans in 1958. Since its publication as “Social Behavior as Exchange”, several other theorists like Peter Blau, Richard Emerson, John Thibaut, and Harold Kelley have contributed to the theory. Before diving into the biggest concepts of this theory, two main properties need to be discussed. This theory is all about social exchanges, which are essentially reactions and decisions in relationships. The two properties are self-interest and interdependence. They are the two fundamental interactions between two individuals who each have something of value to the other. When an individual is looking out for their own self-interest, they are looking out for their own economic and psychological needs which can result in things like greed and competition. However, self-interest is not seen as a negative thing; in fact, it can result in both parties achieving their own interests. Interdependence, on the other hand, is harder to study but it is the combination of the two using both their efforts to gain something. Interdependence has higher social implications. Homans, as the founder of the theory, had it say that the theory consists of a social exchange with rewards and costs between at least two people. Rewards are defined as objects that have a positive value and are sought out by individuals. Costs are defined as objects that have a negative value and are avoided by individuals. Rewards in regards to relationships are things like support, friendship, and acceptance, while costs are things like energy spent, time, and money. Essentially this theory states that every individual is trying to maximize their wins or their worth and end up with something that is more positive than negative. Worth equ...
Relationships are something everyone can relate to. Good or bad, everyone has been involved in some type of relationship. The word relationship actually means a connection or association, but most people know that it is much more than that. To have positive relationships there must be an effort to spend time with someone and to communicate clearly. Security, trust, respect, and support are often the center of fruitful relationships. However, even strong, healthy relationships can go poorly. This is abundantly clear in some of the most famous short stories written. One can witness different types of relationships, their rise and often their fall, and learn from the way in which people treat one another. After all, it is in the end human kindness that means the most.
All of the above points apply to all relationships be it social, romantic or even family relationships.