http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZKLCRQC
2. Maintenance of
Relationships
Key Question –
Why do relationships keep going?
Starter – read the scenario and decide what factors make
their relationship continue
Harry and Jo have been together for 4
years. They share a flat in Leicester. They
have separate hobbies but share a lot of
social time with friends. In the evening
Harry does the cooking and Jo does the
cleaning. They have both been in a
relationship before but not for a long time.
They enjoy each other’s company but do
argue at times.
Learning Outcomes
• Outline the key features of two theories of
maintenance of relationships
• Describe research which supports these
two theories
• Evaluate using strengths and weaknesses
these theories and/or the evidence to
support it
Big Picture
• Add notes to a handout individually
• Watch video clips to demonstrate the
theories
• Choose a piece of research to accompany
each theory of maintenance
• Discuss in pairs the most valuable theory
Formation and Maintenance
Theories
• The similarity theory and
reward/need satisfaction
theories explain why two people
would choose each other as
partners, other theories go
beyond this and explain how
relationships are maintained.
• The two most influential are
Social Exchange Theory and
Equity Theory. These are
referred to as ‘Economic’
theories as they assume that
couples calculate ‘costs and
benefits’ and ‘investment’
during the relationship.
• Satisfaction (profit) is determined
by exchange of rewards (sex,
affection, support) and costs
(providing support & not always
having your own way).
• We develop a comparison level (CL)
as a product of our relationships
with others and use this to judge
the standard of the current
relationship we are in
SOCIAL EXCHANGE
THEORY
Model of long term
relationships
Thibaut and Kelley’(1959)
“There are four stages that
long-term relationships go
through they are…..”
All these ‘stage’ theories can be
criticised for being too rigid –
individual differences are not
considered. Will everyone go
through all the stages?
Why does a Social Exchange
type relationship breakdown?
• Theories referred to in terms of investment, profit, loss,
costs & rewards etc.
• So if relationship is showing a profit then….
• It will continue
• But if showing a loss (low amounts of positive satisfaction few rewards) & High number of attractive alternatives.
• It will likely fail.
• Thibaut & Kelly stated that people in a relationship
constantly compare their relationships with previous
relationships and possible alternatives.
• If the present relationship compares well with others then
the motivation is to maintain the current relationship.
Steve and Liz
• Steve and Liz have been dating for 6 months. Steve recently lost his
job and has become quite needy. He calls Liz 3 times a day and
always wants to spend time with her. This means Liz doesn’t get to
spend much time with her friends and she has recently started to
miss her weekly attendance to swimming club. When together steve
gets quite upset Liz has to spend a lot of energy trying to make him
feel better. Steve lives with Liz and is quite messy so Liz often has
to clear up after him. Steve tries to make up for this by cooking
dinner for Liz when she finishes work. She also thinks he is a really
good kisser and is quite good in the bedroom!
Liz and Claire
• Liz broke off the relationship with Steve. She recently realised she is
attracted to her gay friend Claire and they have started a romantic
relationship. Claire is really independent and doesn’t rely too heavily
on Liz for emotional support but they enjoy spending time together.
They enjoy a hug and a kiss and sharing a bottle of wine together in
the evening. Liz and Claire both go to the swimming club so they
always enjoy attending each week together and never miss a
session. They both recently moved in together and have found they
are both really tidy and clear up after themselves.
Liz’s Comparison Level table
Score
Comparison
10
Awful
20
Not that great
30
Ok relationship
40
Good relationship
50
Great relationship
60
Out of this world relationship
This is formed by experiences in other
relationships as well as our general view of what
we expect from a current relationship. This is also
affected by comparison level for alternatives.
comparison level for
alternatives.
Rewards from a different partner – costs of breaking up the
current relationship = decision
Task
On your handout or in your books write
down ONE piece of research to support
this theory
• MUST – include details of what the
research found
• SHOULD – include some details of the
method/sample
• COULD – include evaluation of that piece
of research
Balance is achieved more through perceived fairness, as in the
matching hypothesis. Inequity results in striving to restore balance
or in dissolution. This theory is similar to Social exchange but
attempts to quantify what makes a relationship fair.
EVIDENCE
• Hatfield et al (1972) interviewed over 500 students about equity in
their relationships. Three months later the inequitable relationships
were more likely to have ended.
COMMENTARY
• Equity may be maintained by matching any attractive
characteristics, such as looks, money or status.
• Individual differences, - Individuals low in exchange orientation
don’t bother about equity (Buunk & VanYperen, 1991)
• Cultural Differences – equity is not a norm for all cultures.
• These two theories are called ‘economic theories’ because they
explain relationships in terms of rewards & costs.
Why does an Equity type relationship
breakdown?
• Unfair (inequitable) relationships produce dissatisfaction.
• As long as the ‘loser’ feels there is a chance of restoring
the balance (equity) they are motivated to save the
relationship.
• This idea of restoring the balance has also been noticed by
the advertising industry!
2.RESRedressing the balance.wmv
Task
On your handout or in your books write
down ONE piece of research to support
this theory
• MUST – include details of what the
research found
• SHOULD – include some details of the
method/sample
• COULD – include evaluation of that piece
of research
Evaluation of Social Exchange
Theory
• Martz (1995) Women in abusive relationships
may stay as the high investment (children) and
low alternative (nowhere to live) could be
considered a reward situation therefore
maintaining their relationship. (STRENGTH)
• The theory can not explain why someone might
leave a relationship without an alternative
(LIMITATION)
• Selfish theory – this theory suggests that people
only in relationships for the rewards they get and
not for any other reason
SOCIAL EXCHANGE THEORY &
BREAKDOWN
• However if the prospective relationship appears a better
alternative than the present relationship – then the
motivation is to end the current relationship.
2.RESLast rolo clip.mpeg
Evaluating Social Exchange & Equity Theory
• Social Exchange theory tends to see relationships as SNAPSHOTS at
one point in time – whereas they are DYNAMIC constantly changing.
• This theory see people as CALCULATING (Selfish – What’s in it for me?
Am I giving more than I am getting?)
• The theory doesn’t take into account the social context of the
relationship E.g. Arranged marriages, religion, parenting, health
traditions etc.
• Research evidence is inconsistent (Clark and Mills, 1979 identified two
types of couples:
• THE COMMUNAL COUPLE – giving is motivated by concern and positive
regard for the other ~ they give to meet each others needs – not
expecting anything in return ~ shared responsibility for relationship.
• THE EXCHANGE COUPLE – As in social exchange – certain amount of
‘score keeping’ is evident. Expect a return on their investment ~ cost
benefit analysis of relationship ~ give but expect same in return.
• There is also evidence that equity is not the same for everyone
(Hatfield) Equity may be more important for females than males.
(Gender Issue)
• Murstein et al (1977) Equity may only be a problem in troubled
relationships. (Health of relationship issue)
Evaluation: Cultural Bias in
Economic Theories
THE KEY IDEAS
Moghaddam (1993) concluded that Western
Relationships were generally:
Individualistic Temporary & Voluntary
Whereas Non-Western relationships tended to
be:
Collectivist Obligatory & Permanent
So remember : MOGHADDAM I.T.V. COP
This means that many of the research studies
and / or theories we have studied can be
criticised for being:Ethnocentric (relevant only to the society
where the theory and / or study was based)
and so lacking cultural relativism.
Other evaluative points
Era Dependant (as social structures & norms generally
change over time e.g. single parent families and
cohabitation much more common now than 50 years
ago)
Assuming Heterosexuality (hetrosexual bias) (Most
research is only completed on heterosexual
relationships so can we apply them to homosexual with
any confidence?)
Some have Ethical Problems – what if no one wanted to
date you!
Many would be difficult to make generalisations from
because the task or environment was artificial (lacked
mundane realism) Walster not how we normally
arrange a date etc.
Plenary
Discuss in pairs – what theory is most
valuable for explaining why relationships
are maintained and don’t breakdown
Feedback to the rest of the class