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Social Exchange Theory Essay

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Quinisha Williams Mrs. Garcia SP 200 A 6 November 2017 Social Exchange Theory The Social Exchange Theory was formally advanced in the late 1950s and early 1960s in the work of the sociologists George Homans (1961) and Peter Blau (1964) and the work of social psychologists John Thibaut and Harold Kelley (1959) (Social Exchange Theory). Social Exchange Theory would be classified as a psychological theory; which suggests that humans will make decisions in their relationships based on the recognized benefits and costs (Griffin). This suggestion declares that humans will analyze all social relationships they have to determine the benefits they will get out of that relationship at the time. The social exchange theory uses financial terms …show more content…

When the company fails to provide their employees with financial and psychological resources, the employees would be more likely to disengage and remove themselves from the roles they were assigned (Social Exchange Theory). This theory is critiqued by many for assuming that people will always make logical decisions. They may also mention that this abstract theory fails to capture the ability that emotion plays in our day to day lives and in the interaction we make with other people (Emerson). This theory also weakens the power of social ladders and strength, which unconsciously forms our awareness of the world we live in and our understanding we have with it, and the strong role it plays with forming the interactions we have with people (Revolvy). When we develop in a relationship, we may create new ideas of costs and benefits within that current relationship. Communicating those new needs could lower the chances of dissatisfaction within the relationship and risk of breakups in the relationship as well. It may also increase our wellbeing (Griffin). Furthermore, self- satisfaction within relationships we have can cause an increase in negative costs and minimize the positive rewards being exchanged within the relationship (Griffin).When we start a new relationship, it is our responsibility to let one or the

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