PSYB10H3 Chapter Notes - Chapter 10: Social Exchange Theory, Equity Theory, Attachment Theory
Chapter 10: Relationships and Attraction
Characterizing Relationships
• The need to belong is biologically based, as evident in the evolutionary benefits and
universality of human relationships and the negative consequences that result from
their absence
• In long-term communal relationships, people feel responsible for each other; in short-
term exchange relationships, people are concerned with equity and reciprocity
o Communal relationship is a relationship in which the individuals feel a special
responsibility for one another and give and receive according to the principle of
need; such relationships are often long term
o Exchange relationship is a relationships in which individuals feel little
responsibility toward one another; giving and receiving are governed by
concerns about equity and reciprocity; such relationships are usually short term
• Social exchange theory is based on the idea that how people feel about a relationship
depends on their assessments of its costs and rewards, and what they believe
alternative relationships can offer
o Defined as a theory based on the idea that how people feel about a relationship
depends on their assessments of its costs and rewards
o Comparison level are expectations about what people think they deserve or
expect to get out of a relationship
o Comparison level for alternatives are expectations about what people think
they can get out of alternative relationships
o Equity theory is the idea that people are motivated to pursue fairness, or equity,
in their relationships; a relationship is considered equitable when the benefits
are proportionate to the effort both people put into it
• According to attachment theory, early attachments with parents and other caregivers
shape relatioships for a perso’s hole life
o Defined as the idea that early attachments with parents and other caregivers can
shape relatioships for a perso’s hole life
▪ Secure attachment
▪ Avoidant attachment
▪ Anxious-ambivalent attachment
o The two dimensions of attachment are anxiety (fear of rejection) and avoidance
(discomfort with intimacy)
▪ Anxiety dimension is a facet of attachment that captures the degree to
which a person is worried about rejection and abandonment by
relationship partners
▪ Avoidance dimension is a facet of attachment that captures the degree
to which a person is comfortable with intimacy and dependence on
relationship partners
o Attachment style is relatively stable and has wide-ragig effets o a perso’s
well-being throughout life
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