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Social TheoriesSocial TheoriesSocial Exchange TheorySocial Exchange Theory

+What is Social Exchange What is Social Exchange

Theory?Theory?

Psychological and Sociological perspective that explains social change and stability as a process of negotiated exchanges between parties.

Views that all human relationships are formed by the use of a cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives.

+Social Exchange Theory Social Exchange Theory

(cont’d)(cont’d)

Social interaction is likened to transactions in the economic marketplace

Exchange is a theory which attempts to explain interpersonal behaviors in terms of the exchange of rewards and costs 

+Interrelated TheoriesInterrelated Theories

Economics Humans are rational and will seek to maximize their gain

Psychology Humans will generate behaviours that will produce the greatest

rewards

Cultural Anthropology Exchange process derive from individuals trying to satisfy basic

needs.

+Social Exchange Theory TodaySocial Exchange Theory Today

focus on what people put into relationships and what they get out of it

everything we do has costs (to be minimized) and rewards (to be maximized) associated

+Social Exchange Theory Today Social Exchange Theory Today

(cont’d)(cont’d)

REWARDS = anything that a person gains from a relation 6 main rewards: love, money, status, info, goods, services

COSTS = negative consequences of a relation time, energy

+How can this be related to the

FAMILY

Marital Relationships

Sibling Relationships

Parent/Child Relationship

Mom says you have to babysitme tonight !!!!! And hang out withme, and play games with me, and love me and blah blah blah….

I should watch my little brother

tonight because its Katie’s birthday

this weekend and I’m going to want

to stay out late. I need to start e

arning

my brownie points with mom now.

What are the COSTS for the sister to babysit her brother?

What are the REWARDS?

Is babysitting her brother worth it for her?