Chapter 9 Notes - Social Exchange Theory PDF

Preview

Summary

Chapter 9 Notes - Social Exchange Theory...

Description

Chapter 9 Social Exchange Theory Based on the research of John Thibaut and Harold Kelley Costs - elements of relational life with negative value Rewards - elements of relational life with positive value Outcome - whether people continue in a relationship or terminate it

Assumptions of Social Exchange Theory The assumptions that Social Exchange Theory makes about human nature include the following:  Humans seek rewards and avoid punishments.  Humans are rational beings.  The standards that humans use to evaluate costs and rewards vary over time and from person to person. The assumptions Social Exchange Theory makes about the nature of relationships include the following:  Relationships are interdependent.  Relational life is a process.

Evaluating a Relationship comparison level (CL) - a standard for what a person thinks he or she should get in a relationship comparison level for alternatives (CLalt) - how people evaluate a relationship based on what their alternatives to the relationship are

Exchange Patterns: SET in Action behavioral sequences - a series of actions designed to achieve a goal power - the degree of dependence a person has on another for outcomes fate control - the ability to affect a partner’s outcomes behavior control - the power to change another’s behavior

given matrix - the constraints on your choices due to the environment and/or your own skill levels effective matrix - the transformations you are able to make to your given matrix, by learning a new skill, for example dispositional matrix - the beliefs you have about relationships

Exchange Structures direct exchange - an exchange where two people reciprocate costs and rewards generalized exchange - an exchange where reciprocation involves the social network and isn’t confined to two individuals productive exchange - an exchange where both partners incur costs and benefits simultaneously

Integration, Critique, and Closing Communication Tradition – Socio-Psychological Communication Context – Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Approach to Knowing – Positivistic/Empirical Critique – Scope, Utility, Testability, Heurism...