...Theories Of Relationship Theories Of Relationship [Document Title] [Document Title] Elizabeth Wiwoloku Elizabeth Wiwoloku Introduction There are two main theories applied to relationships, Social Exchange Theory and Equity Theory underpin commonly used behavioural therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Integrative Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. More recent studies in neuroscience and behavior and the importance of language have led to the development of Relational Frame Theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as an alternative approach. In this essay I will outline the relationship models comparing and contrasting them Social exchange theory Social exchange theory analyses interactions between two parties by examining the costs and benefits to each. The key point of the theory is that it assumes the two parties are both giving and receiving items of value from each other. Under this theory, interactions are only likely to continue if both parties feel they coming out of the exchange with more than they are giving up that is, if there is a positive amount of profit for both parties involved. The Social Exchange Theory by Thibaut and Kelly (1978) originates from economy sociology and psychology. It is also a well know theory in sociology that explains the variations and modifications of social relationships development between individuals. The social exchange theory assumes that all human relationships are a matter...
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...Group evaluation based on Social Exchange Theory Group evaluation based on Social Exchange Theory Social exchange theory suggests that each member of our group entered the group after first weighing the benefits verses the cost. In our situation as students in school, and assigned to a group in order to complete a graded project, what we must weigh is how social exchange theory would instead effect how much effort and dedication each person brought to the group. We must also consider that each person also had outside influences which added to their ability to contribute time on the project itself before giving a favorable or unfavorable opinion of a person’s contribution. For each of us, the benefits or reward are in most cases the same, we would like to get an A on our presentation. What will set us apart is how bad each of us as individuals really want that A. Since I have worked with each of the students in my group for over a year now it’s fairly easy to know and to set expectations as to who will do what within our group. Allan has cared about one thing since I met him a year ago, his GPA. He has not missed a day of school and like me is always the last to leave after class labs. Due to his dedication to maintaining a 4.0 GPA he had everything to gain by putting forth a great effort and contributing one hundred percent to his part of the project. Jolynn is also one who cares allot about her GPA and as with every other project I have been a part of, will give one...
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...Social Exchange Theory Social exchange theory is a social psychological and sociological perspective that explains social change and stability as a process of negotiated exchanges between parties. Social exchange theory posits that human relationships are formed by the use of a subjective cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives. The theory has roots in economics, psychology and sociology. Social exchange theory features many of the main assumptions found in rational choice theory and structuralism. Social exchange theory was introduced in 1958 by the sociologist George Homans with the publication of his work "Social Behavior as Exchange". He defined social exchange as the exchange of activity, tangible or intangible, and more or less rewarding or costly, between at least two persons. After Homans founded the theory, other theorists continued to write about it, particularly Peter M. Blau and Richard M. Emerson, who in addition to Homans are generally thought of as the major developers of the exchange perspective within sociology. Homans' work emphasized the individual behavior of actors in interaction with one another. Although there are various modes of exchange, Homans centered his studies on dyadic exchange John Thibaut and Harold Kelly are recognized for focusing their studies within the theory on the psychological concepts, the dyad and small group. Lévi-Strauss is recognized for contributing to the emergence of this theoretical perspective from his work...
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...Social exchange theory is a social psychological and sociological perspective that explains social change and stability as a process of negotiated exchanges between parties.An example of social exchange theory can be seen in the interaction of asking someone out on a date. If the person says yes, you have gained a reward and are likely to repeat the interaction by asking that person out again or asking someone else out. On the other hand, if you ask someone out on a date and they reply with “No way you creep!” then you have received a punishment that will probably cause you to shy away from repeating this type of interaction in the future. Cost-benefit analysis is the process that we implement in decision-making. We analyze the pros and the cons of an action to determine what we would believe to be the best decision and then make that decision based off of what we believe would be the outcome. An example would be a child reaching up to the counter to grab a cookie that their parent just baked for dessert. That child would have no hesitation in grabbing a cookie from the counter if they had never done it before and would, therefore, have no reason to believe that there could be a negative outcome from that decision. On the other hand, if a child had once done so before and got his hand popped by a parent and told that they need to wait until they are given permission then the child would associate that negative outcome to grabbing another cookie and would then form a decision...
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...Unfaithfulness “Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you.”-Richard Bach. We meet many people and start different kinds of relationships during our lives. What is the reason not all of them last? All relationships have give and take although the balance of this exchange is not always equal. When we feel that we give more than we receive that is when we decide to end it. My friendly relationships had a nice start and lasted for a few years but had to end eventually because undesirable and negative aspects outweighed positive ones. I knew this girl for quite some time but we were never friends. It was our mutual friend ‘s party when we were officially introduced to each other. I felt connected to her from the very beginning. Since that day we started spending a lot of time together. We were on the same page almost about any discussion and if we would disagree on a subject one of us always knew when to step back so it doesn’t lead into a fight. I shared all my secrets with her. I felt emotional disclosure with her. Any time of the day I could call her and she was always ready to listen and give her advice of her thoughts. I was very happy to have a friend like that, because it is hard to find one that you feel comfortable telling everything about yourself including secrets. I felt like I was lucky to have a friend that understood me and was always there for me. One of the costs...
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...consequential ethics as an ethical framework (the greatest good for the greatest number) opposes the ethical principle of deontology (i.e., the rightness of an act itself determines what is right). Both of these impact the nursing profession. Modern social exchange theories are based on the principle of utility. Read the assumptions of social exchange theory and consider how these would affect the nurse-patient relationship, compared to how these impact the nurse within the health care environment. To what extent are all theories ethical? Is social exchange theory compatible with the values of the nursing profession? Theories from the sociologic sciences are integral to the discipline of nursing (McEwen &Wills, 2014). Social exchange theory deals with the many different types of interactions among patients and their nurses. The social exchange theory is defined as “a flow of emotional concern, instrumental aid, information, and or appraisal (information relevant to self-evaluation) between people” (Leahy-Warren, 2007, p. 370). The implication for using non-nursing theories to develop nursing knowledge is that borrowed theories are potentially useful for understanding the patient nurse interaction. The two categories of social exchange theories are individualistic and collectivist. In individualistic frame work “human beings are motivated by self-interest to act” (McEwen &Wills, 2014). In individulistic method the nurse will provide comprehensive nursing care with the intent of...
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...Discuss theories on the maintenance of romantic relationships (24 marks) The social exchange theory was developed by Thibaut and Kelly, who suggested that social behaviour is due to the result of an exchange process, where people try to maximise rewards (Such as self-esteem and happiness) from a relationship and minimise costs (such as time, effort and emotional support). The exchange process changes when an individual receives rewards from others; they feel the need to return the favour. If the rewards outstrip the costs, this is seen as a positive sign in the maintenance of a relationship, but if the costs outweigh the rewards, the theory suggests that this could have a damaging effect on maintaining relationships. Thibaut and Kelly claimed that we create a comparison line (a standard against which all our relationships are judged). This referred to whether one person would offer something better or worse in accordance to what we expect from them. So if our current relationships exceed our comparison level, it’s a worthwhile relationship to stay in. However, if our current relationships fail to exceed our comparison level, this means we are dissatisfied with the relationship and may look for an alternative partner. Simpson et al conducted evidence supporting the social exchange theory. They found that participants in existing relationships rated people of the opposite sex as less attractive than participants not in relationships. This suggested that people judge prospects...
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...favorable work attitudes and higher job performance. The article Using Social Exchange Theory to Distinguish Procedural from Interactional Justice differentiates the importance and role of procedural and interactional justice in the workplace. The authors’ state procedural justice is normally associated with the relationship between the employee and the organization while interactional justice is the relationship between the employee and immediate supervisor. The predictions of the authors were field tested on 107 employees and supervisors. The purpose of the study is to determine if procedural justice will be associated with attitudes toward organizational decision makers and if interactional justice will be associated with an employee’s immediate supervisor. The researchers believe the outcome of the study will confirm their hypothesis on what each justice is associated with. First, we need to understand the foundation of social exchange theory. According to Miles (2012) “the theory assumes that self-interested parties transact or exchange with self-interested others in order to accomplish outcomes that neither could achieve on his or her own.” People collaborate with other people to get the job done that they could not otherwise do on their own and the interaction of the relationship is fundamental to success. Working in exchange for money or excelling for a reward are basic examples of social exchange theory. There are more intrinsic motivators such as respect, status, knowledge...
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...Social Penetration Theory (SPT) was developed by Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor. This theory has a socio-psychological tradition with an objective approach. SPT explains how relationship development works. Social Penetration Theory has five concepts which are as listed: social penetration, law of reciprocity, self-disclosure, personality structures of SPT, and the social exchange theory. Social penetration is defined as “the process of developing deeper intimacy with another person through mutual self-disclosure and other forms of vulnerability” (Griffin, 2015, pg. 97). This theory “depends on a cost-benefit analysis that each person performs as he/she considers the possibility of a close personal relationship” (Hara and Yum, 2005, pg. 3). As social penetration increases between partners the relationship will begin to develop more successfully. The Law of...
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...Everyday people are looking to have a positive experience with those that they interact with. With each interaction one has with another, that individual attempts to maximize the benefits and minimize the cost. This is known as the Social Exchange theory (Verderber). How we handle a conflict can either make or break a relationship. The movie, The Breakup with Jennifer Anniston and Vince Vaughn in a great example of Social Exchange theory in film. Many movies/shows came to mind for this paper like the Little Mermaid, Friends, Despicable Me, Love Actually and Titanic. I think it is pretty safe to say that most movies will have some example of the Social Exchange theory. People enter into situations they believe will be rewarding. They seek rewards but avoid cost if possible. In the...
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...relationship, and drawing on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs it can be seen that this would help satisfy the two basic tiers of ‘psychological’ and ‘safety’ (Maslow, 1954). This essay aims to critically evaluate the concept of the psychological contract, then analyse why in managing the modern day employment relationship and understanding of the psychological contract is important, relevant theories and academic models will be used where appropriate. The question will be addressed in three sections; firstly the concept and history of the psychological contract will be briefly covered, secondly and critical focus will be shown towards the concept of the contract, and finally we will examine the practicality of utilising the contract to manage the contemporary employment relationship. The concept of the psychological contract was initially termed and documented by Chris Argyris in 1960 (Argyris, 1960), later being described as “A set of unwritten reciprocal expectations between an individual employee and organisation” (Schein, 1978, p. 48). Blau suggests that the psychological contract uses social...
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...According to the social exchange theory, a person's tendency for altruistic behavior is based on the cost-benefit analysis of any action. It is a theory based on self-interest (Taylor, Peplau, & Sears, 2006). Consider this situation. I see a vacant house that I’d love to own. I picture myself landscaping the front yard with exotic flowers and bushes. One day, I walk by this house and notice that a family has begun squatting. They are obviously homeless. Do I try to purchase the home through a Sheriff's sale, evict the squatters, and realize my dream house and exotic garden? Do I leave the family alone, knowing there is one less family on the streets? The social exchange theory proposes that the basic formula for predicting the behavior for any individual in any situation is: Behavior (profits) = Rewards of interaction – costs of interaction (Taylor, Peplau, & Sears, 2006). Rewards can come in many forms, such as social approval, self-worth, or your dream house. Punishments also come in many forms, from extremes like public humiliation for a family of squatters, to subtle gestures like a raised eyebrow or a frown in the direction of the homeless. Observing the conditions would evoke feelings of sympathy and compassion for the squatters. My empathic concern would motivate me to help by means of leaving the family alone, regardless of what I had to gain. If we do not feel empathy, then social exchange concerns will come into play (Taylor, Peplau, & Sears, 2006)...
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...Outline and evaluate two theories of the maintenance of relationships Social Exchange Theory (SET) is one explanation of the maintenance of relationships. It assumes that all social behaviour is a series of exchanges where individuals attempt to maximise their rewards and minimise costs. Exchange refers to when an individual receives an award from others, they feel obliged to reciprocate. These rewards that we may receive from a relationship may include companionship, security and sex. Costs are those exchanges that result in a loss or punishment. These may include physical or psychological abuse and loss of other opportunities. The rewards minus the costs equal the outcomes or profits. Thibaut and Kelly developed a comparison level. They introduced two levels; comparison level and comparison level for alternatives. Our comparison level refers to our past and present and is the product of our experiences in other relationships together with other general views or expectations. If the current relationship exceeds our comparison level, we deem the relationship to be worthwhile and we are motivated to maintain the relationship. If however, the profit is less than our comparison level, we will be left dissatisfied and the other person will appear less attractive as a partner. The comparison level for alternatives, on the other hand, is concerned with the benefits of possible alternative relationships. It involves a person weighing up a potential increase in rewards from a different...
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...PLAN – MAINTENANCEn EQUITY PARA 1 : Economic Theories- Our theories reprint a kind of marketplace, where each member of a romantic partnership must serve their own need, but satisfy the needs of their partner. PARA 2 :Social Exchange Theory- Thibaut & Kelley 1959- This makes the basic assumption that all social behaviors are a series of exchange in which something is given and something gained. It argues that partners wish to MAXIMIZE REWARDS and MINIMIZE COSTS. The goal is to achieve a situation of profit, where rewards exceed the costs. A situation of profit occurs, the person will commit to that relationship. We develop a comparison level, a standard against which all our relationships are judged, a standard by which we compare what we think relationships are supposed to be like, or what our old relationship was like to our current relationship. Also a comparison level from an alternative relationship, a different partner. A new relationship can take the place of the current one if the profit level is significantly higher. PARA 3: POS Provides explanation for abusive relationships- Rusbult and Martz (1995)- When investments are high e.g children, financial security) and alternatives are low, e.g. no money or home, this could still be considered as a profitable situation and a woman might chose to remain in such a relationship. Future profit. PARA 4: NEG People still may leave relationships despite a lack of alternative PARA 5: Evidence for importance...
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...commercials will have people who care about a cause which can readily spread a wealth of information to the public actually. Non-profit corporations have individuals who are advocates of domestic violence and can create informative ways of reaching out to children by way of schools asking them if "members of the family" are upset at one another. Non-profit corporations can begin to display pictures, videos, and movies of individuals who have been abused by domestic violence. Case managers and social workers will be provided to ensure confidentiality. Not only is this information aided by children, but adults who care and just want to be a part of something that combats an evil will participate. Communities will be asked to participate also, a sufficient amount of persuasion will be used. There are families that have been involved in domestic violence. Some of our best communities and citizens will take part in the social exchange theory. "We exchange not only material goods and money but also social goods—love, services, information, status (Foa & Foa, 1975). Myers D.G. (2010). To have a successful campaign, we must work on diminishing domestic violence and send a clear message to the...
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