Social Psych Lecture 9 2.23

Assessing Relationships
- Social Exchange Theory
  - Comparison Lvl (CL): Expectations for a relationship
    - SATISFACTION = Outcomes - CL
      - If outcomes > CL: satisfied
      - If outcomes < CL: dissatisfied
  - Comparison Lvl for Alternatives (CLalt)
    - Next-best alternative
    - DEPENDANCE = Outcomes - CLalt
      - If outcomes > CLalt: stay
      - If outcomes < CLalt: leave
- Four Types of Relationships
  - Satisfied, stay
  - Dissatisfied, stay
  - Satisfied, leave
  - Dissatisfied, leave
- Investment Model
  - Commitment = Satisfaction - Alternatives + Investments (things one would lose if the relationship ended)
- Equity Theory
  - Our rewards and costs should be proportional to our partner's:
    - Own Outcomes/Our Inputs = Ps Outcomes/P's Inputs
    - Underbenefitted vs Overbenefitted
- Exchange vs Communal Relationships
  - Exchange:
    - Immediate reciprocity expected
    - Keep close track of inputs
  - Communal:
    - Immediate reciprocity not expected
    - Respond to needs
    - Don't keep track of inputs as closely
    - Helping others boosts our mood