Ex change Theory

1. Exchange Theory

2. What Type of Theory is it? • Social exchange theory is a social psychological and sociological perspective • This theory explains that social change and stability as a process of negotiated exchanges between parties

3. How does the theory approach human behavior? • Social exchange posits that all human relationships are formed by the use of a subjective cost-benefit analysis • Focuses on how interaction patterns are shaped by power relationships between individuals • And focuses on the resulting efforts to achieve balance in exchange relations.

4. Concepts • Outcome= Benefits – costs An individual’s satisfaction with a relationships depends on more than just the outcome -- Satisfaction= outcome- Comparison levels There are some people who are not in happy relationships what determines wither they stay or not is based on the alternate relationships available -- Dependence= outcome- comparison level of alternatives Upon leaving a relationship people considered the alternatives and things such as barriers to leaving the relationship ships (avoid fighting)

6. Benefits to Understanding Human Behaviour • The benefits of this approach to understanding human behaviour stem from its simplicity … (?) • Can be used in everyday life to determine why we choose to continue or end relationships • Applications of the theory can easily be merged into other fields of social sciences, thus expanding its use beyond interpersonal relationships • The social exchange theory is a theoretical explanation for organizational citizenship behaviour • It manifests in a wide variety of social situations • Used to explain why we choose to continue or end relationships

7. Criticisms • The social exchange theory has been subjected to criticism and objections from other social scientists. • Some have argued that the theory over-simplifies interpersonal relationships; it reduces human interaction to a purely rational process that arises from economic theory. • The exchange theory also asserts that the goal of all relationships is intimacy, when this may not always be the case.

8. Criticisms • The theory’s heavy reliance on psychological presumptions has also come under scrutiny • Critics point to the assumptions about human behavior that serve as the basis of the exchange theory, such as the assumptions that humans seek rewards and avoid punishments, and that humans are rational beings. • These notions are likely to be true for the majority of people. However, in social interactions that includes individuals who don’t adhere to this assumption, the exchange theory becomes futile.

9. Sources • Katherine Miller (2005) Communication Theories. New York. McGraw Hill • Kendra Cherry. What is Social Exchange Theory? About> Education> Psychology