Ever wondered why some relationships last whilst others don't? Social...
Psychology333 views·Updated 29 Jul 2026·2 pagesUnderstanding Social Exchange Theory in Relationships: AQA Psychology Essay
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Understanding Social Exchange Theory
Think of your relationships like your bank account - you want more money going in than coming out! Social exchange theory suggests we all follow the minimax principle: minimising our losses (costs) whilst maximising our gains (rewards).
Rewards might include companionship, emotional support, or even just having someone to watch Netflix with. Costs could be the stress of arguments, having to compromise on what to watch, or the opportunity cost - basically, the time and energy you're spending on this person instead of doing other things.
Here's the clever bit: we measure whether our relationship is worth it using two comparison methods. Comparison level (CL) is what you think you deserve based on past relationships and what seems normal. Comparison level for alternatives (CLalt) is comparing your current relationship to other options - including being single.
Quick Check: If your current relationship feels better than being alone or dating someone else, you'll probably stick around!
The tricky thing is that what counts as a reward or cost is completely subjective. Your partner's adventurous nature might seem exciting at first but could feel exhausting later on.
2
of 2
Evaluating Social Exchange Theory
Social exchange theory faces some serious challenges when psychologists try to test it properly. The biggest problem? It's nearly impossible to measure psychological rewards and costs accurately - how do you put a number on emotional support or the stress of an argument?
Most research supporting this theory uses artificial lab experiments where strangers play games together. This is pretty unrealistic compared to actual romantic relationships where emotions, history, and genuine feelings matter much more than simple reward-cost calculations.
There's also a chicken-and-egg problem with the research. Miller's 1997 study found that people in happy relationships don't even notice attractive alternatives - suggesting we only start weighing up costs and benefits after we're already unhappy, not before.
Food for Thought: Maybe dissatisfaction comes first, then we start doing the mental maths!
However, the theory isn't completely rubbish. Research with 185 real couples (both heterosexual and same-sex) found that relationship satisfaction was indeed higher when people saw more benefits in their current relationship and found alternatives less appealing. This suggests the theory might actually explain how relationships work in the real world, regardless of sexual orientation.
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Psychology333 views·Updated 29 Jul 2026·2 pagesUnderstanding Social Exchange Theory in Relationships: AQA Psychology Essay
DT@djt9
Ever wondered why some relationships last whilst others don't? Social exchange theory treats relationships like a business deal - you're constantly weighing up what you're getting against what you're giving up. It's all about whether the rewards outweigh the costs,...
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Understanding Social Exchange Theory
Think of your relationships like your bank account - you want more money going in than coming out! Social exchange theory suggests we all follow the minimax principle: minimising our losses (costs) whilst maximising our gains (rewards).
Rewards might include companionship, emotional support, or even just having someone to watch Netflix with. Costs could be the stress of arguments, having to compromise on what to watch, or the opportunity cost - basically, the time and energy you're spending on this person instead of doing other things.
Here's the clever bit: we measure whether our relationship is worth it using two comparison methods. Comparison level (CL) is what you think you deserve based on past relationships and what seems normal. Comparison level for alternatives (CLalt) is comparing your current relationship to other options - including being single.
Quick Check: If your current relationship feels better than being alone or dating someone else, you'll probably stick around!
The tricky thing is that what counts as a reward or cost is completely subjective. Your partner's adventurous nature might seem exciting at first but could feel exhausting later on.
2
of 2Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Evaluating Social Exchange Theory
Social exchange theory faces some serious challenges when psychologists try to test it properly. The biggest problem? It's nearly impossible to measure psychological rewards and costs accurately - how do you put a number on emotional support or the stress of an argument?
Most research supporting this theory uses artificial lab experiments where strangers play games together. This is pretty unrealistic compared to actual romantic relationships where emotions, history, and genuine feelings matter much more than simple reward-cost calculations.
There's also a chicken-and-egg problem with the research. Miller's 1997 study found that people in happy relationships don't even notice attractive alternatives - suggesting we only start weighing up costs and benefits after we're already unhappy, not before.
Food for Thought: Maybe dissatisfaction comes first, then we start doing the mental maths!
However, the theory isn't completely rubbish. Research with 185 real couples (both heterosexual and same-sex) found that relationship satisfaction was indeed higher when people saw more benefits in their current relationship and found alternatives less appealing. This suggests the theory might actually explain how relationships work in the real world, regardless of sexual orientation.
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You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
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