Social Exchange Theory 2
Application of:
The Social Exchange Theory
In everyday interactions people are always looking to have a positive experience among those with whom they interact. According to the Social Exchange theory, with each interaction an individual has with another, that individual attempts to maximize the positive outcomes and minimize the negative. The purpose of this paper is to apply the Social Exchange theory to an authentic real life situation to best illustrate the theory and the key concepts that it holds. In applying the social exchange theory from demonstration, to application, to then explanation, a better understanding in terms of the value of the theory will be shown, as well as the function that it has in everyday life.
An episode that best characterizes the Social Exchange theory is one that involves my ex-girlfriend, and myself. We had been having our share of problems when, one day, every argument and disagreement we had culminated into this moment when everything just seemed to explode. She had been angry with me for having left San Diego to attend school in Santa Barbara and I was angry with her for her being angry. I wanted support, and instead, all I received was a guilt trip about how I was never there for her. After five minutes of talking, or rather complaining, we both agreed to disagree. In that instant the two of us had the realization, as many couples do, that it just was not working and the negatives far outweighed the positives. There was no minimizing the negative outcomes because everything had a negative ending. Later, the Social Exchange theory will be
Social Exchange Theory 3
applied to this episode, but for now it is best to comprehend how the Social Exchange theory works.
To fully understand the Social Exchange theory is to understand its concept. The Social Exchange theory, as stated by Unger and Johns...
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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.
Social Exchange Theory 8
References
Jennifer Unger & C. Anderson Johnson, “Explaining Exercise Behavior and Satisfaction with Social Exchange Theory,” Perceptual and Motor Skills 81 (1995): 603-608.
West, Richard, & Turner, Lynn H. (2000). Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application. Mountain View, CA: Mayfield publishing.
This particular clip from Friends made me think of another notable reality television show, The Bachelor, which also demonstrates the social exchange theory. This theory has the role in explaining why people stay in relationships. This social exchange theory yearns for some sort of reward that can encompass in companionship or even as a financial investment. The idea of companionship can be related to the television show, The Bachelor, which exhibits the male constantly weighting the cost and benefit of each woman. Each person in the show is competing for a chance at love, ultimately trying to win someones heart. The reward in it all, is the hope in finding their potential wife or husband. The example from the video clip down below, shows 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.
The Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Theory was created by William Schutz. He has a vast amount of research that demonstrates the way we attempt to meet our needs for inclusion, control, and affection through friendships, work, and romantic relationships. Inclusion has to do with the varying degrees to which we all need to establish and maintain a feeling of mutual interest with other people. Shutz’s theory, Fundamental Interpersonal
West, R. L., & Turner, L. H. (2009).Introducing communication theory: Analysis and application . (4 ed., p. 113). McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing.
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...
Henry, S., & Charles, M. (1982). Social Learning Theory. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 3 (4), 55-62.
An observation of personal relationships by means of first impressions and the alterations that are essential to the initial emotional development between two individuals. Where the flourishing intimacy derives from and why it is prevalent can commence through Chip Kidd’s work with Ted Talk Books, Judge this, as well as, a collection of other sources of psychological journals that report the correlations between the two concepts. When analyzing the origin of close acquaintances according to the affects personal relationships with others subsequently, it must be kept in mind; that everyone is distinctive and their experiences form the way they tend to treat their peers. This is seen when trying to understand the interpersonal exchanges that people hold dearly and why comprehension is essential to the discussion of emotional development’s impending need to have these pre-faced judgments. With the assistance from Kidd’s Ted Original, the parallel between first impressions and the affecting evolution of a relationship can be made through further psychological studies.
Humans by nature, desire to have connections with other individuals in order to have a sense of self worth. Many factors contribute to these connections. The free verse novel The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick, the song Numb by Linkin Park and the film The Matrix all demonstrate that some people purposely disconnect themselves from having connections with other individuals because for them to connect they would first have to modify their personality, people’s life choices can hinder or assist them in forming associations with other people and a person’s measure of how much they belong is defined by their popularity or social status amongst their peers.
Throughout the semester, we have studied numerous communication theories. Their purpose is to help understand exactly what happens when we interact with others. We might not necessarily agree with all of the theories, but the idea is to develop tools to evaluate situations we may encounter. Often, when the theories are explained in the readings or lecture, it is beneficial to apply the concepts to a "real life" situation. Using this approach, I will use a situation that many of us have faced, or will face, and analyze it according to a particular communication theory.
Specifically it looks at the prosed distances of intimate, personal, social and public distances that have been established. What do we do when a person violates them? Do we allow them to or do we react negatively? This theory tells us how we should react with regard of how we feel towards the person that is the subject in question. Our reading gives examples where sometimes the theory worked and others it didn’t. This failures were exampled by extenuating circumstances that led the receiver to view the person differently than what the theory might suggest should
Emerson, E. M. (1976) Social Exchange Theory. Annual Review of Sociology Vol. 2 (pp. 335-362)
Relationships play an important role in everyday life. It is essential for the positive, social and mental development of the people required in the relationship. It starts off with infatuation and goes through several stages. Somewhere along the way the relationship can take a toll and will take the brunt of the fall. It’s a theory that describes how relationships and relational partners change over time. This communication theory research paper will identify the theorist, his educational and professional background, along with other contributions that he has made. It will define the theory and explain it using tangible examples. Finally, I will describe what I have learned from my research.
Social Network theory dates back to the 1950’s where Barnes (1954) is credited with coining the term. Social Network Theory is the study of how the social structure around a person, group, or organization affect beliefs or behaviors (Dunn, 1983) The theory views relationships in terms of nodes and ties. Nodes can be defined as individual actors within networks, while ties are the relationships between the actors. (Dunn, 1983). These nodes and ties are often displayed in a diagram which shows the connection between them. Unlike traditional sociological studies, Social Network Theory does not assume that it is the attributes of individual actors, but rather the attributes of the individual are less important, but rather the relationships and ties with other actors within the network is what is important.
Social interactions are the manner in which we socialize and react to other people. Social interaction has been around humanity since the beginning. It is so important that without it, settlements and groups wouldn’t have formed the way we know it today. It is the building block of society, people get together and design rules, institution and select officials to guide their way of living. It means interaction is social relationship among the individuals. It is a sort of action and reaction position among the people. It involves the acts that people do to others and the return the expect. Social interaction consists of many concepts which are: Exchange, competition, cooperation, conflict and coercion.
Lawler, E. J., & Thye, S. R. (1999). Bringing emotions into social exchange theory. Annual