FRHD 2110 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Social Exchange Theory, Small Talk, Trial Balloon
Document Summary
Social exchange theory: the view that a relationship"s development reflects the unfolding of social exchanges - that is, the rewards and costs of maintaining the relationship as opposed to those of ending it. Abcde model: a model which conceptualizes romantic relationships in terms of 5 stages - attraction, building, continuation, deterioration, ending. Occurs when two people become aware of and fine one another appealing or enticing. Similarity in level of physical attraction, similarity in attitudes and interests, a generally positive evaluation of the partner. Lack of physical appeal, similarity in attitudes, mutually negative evaluation. Reached once basic level of attachment and intimacy. Established patterns of interaction remain relatively stable. Relationship will mature and evolve as time passes and circumstances change. A relationship that doesn"t balance the stability of established patterns of intimacy and communication with the need for ongoing adaptation and development may enter a stage of deterioration.