Social Exchange Theory: Critique In everyday interactions, people are always striving to have a positive experience among those whom they interact with. Social Exchange Theory (SET) is based on the notion that people think about their relationships in economic terms (West 186). People will consider the cost of being in that relationship and compare them to the rewards they receive from that same relationship. Cost would consist of any negative elements of the relationship, such as effort put into the relationship. Rewards would consist of any positive elements in the relationships, such as comfort. Social Exchange theorists argue that people assess their relationships in terms of cost and rewards (Rosenfeld 1284). Every relationship will …show more content…
SET is based off a metaphor, relationships are like economic exchanges. Many assumptions stem from the notion that people view life and relationships as a marketplace. First, SET states that humans seek rewards and avoid punishment. People’s behaviors are motivated by internal desires. Peoples just want to please themselves. This entire process is rewarding. This is a main point of the Social Exchange theory because it helps us understand why people feel the drive to spend time together. Another crucial point of SET is hat humans are rational beings. As people will collect all the information given to them, they will calculate the costs and rewards of a given situation and behave accordingly. This also implies that when no reward behaviors are available, people will choose the last costly decision. Lastly, Social Exchange Theory assumes the standards people use to evaluate costs and rewards vary over time and from person to person. No one standard can be applied to everyone to determine what is a cost and what is a reward. This is an extremely important consideration because SET will be forced to continually be …show more content…
Humans are being described as rational calculators, coming up with numerical equations to represent their relational life. Much criticism has occurred because many people object to this concept. Are people really walking calculators that use equations to determine their relational life? Many disagree with that because its way to large of an assumption to make considering how different everyone is. From first hand experience, I do not consciously do equations in my head to determine every decision with my relationship. There are also plenty of other factors that play into decision making besides the obvious rewards and costs. Social exchange assumes a great deal of mental awareness and activity. People don’t always pay attention to every little detail, which is necessary for SET to be applied. Researchers have not come to a definitive answer about how much people calculate their relational life, but this calculation probably fluctuates according to many factors. First, some situations may make people more aware than others. Second, everyone processes information differently. Everyone has their own opinions and beliefs when it comes to costs and rewards so it seems to be very difficult to determine a real way how people will generally determine a value on their relationships. As researchers continue to work with this theory, they must account for these and other factors relative to the
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This standard looks at whether or not the theory opens up a new perspective that is uniquely human. When trying to understand the laws that govern relationships, Baxter and Montgomery looked at many relationships and found that there were contradictions, different expectations, and several other misconceptions. This led 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.
relationships fosters a positive reputation for the organization and creates trust and loyalty to the
The definition of the Social Exchange theory in very simple language is a model describing an exchange of benefits. In the case of the Social Exchange theory, these benefits need not be monetary or tangible, but certainly could be, if that was what was needed (Molm, 2006, p.30). According to Linda Molm, “People depend on one another for much of what they need and value in social life, and they provide these benefits to each other through the process of social exchange” (Molm, 2006, p.24). The longer definition and the focus of the Social Exchange framework as defined by Linda Molm are “the benefits that people obtain from, and contribute to, social interaction and the opportunity structures and interdependencies that govern those exc...
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Communal relationships have been found to function through the needs of others and by the relationships of family and close friends, communal relationships are illustrated. It can be asumed that "as a friendship develops, the basis of exchange might become more communal" (347). Altman and Taylor's social penetration theory is heavily drawn from Thibaut and Kelly's theory of social exchange. Altman and Taylor believe that the nature of social exchange can foretell when people will self-disclose, as hypothesized by social penetration. The social exchange theory shows: People desire to maximize their outcomes (the end result of what is happe...
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...; 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.
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