Exchange Theory Power And Intimate Relationships Exchange Theory Power And Intimate Relationships

Key Concepts Rewards And Costs... again! Rewards And Costs... again! Focus is on the give-and-take of economic transactions: “profit” Focus is on the give-and-take of economic transactions: “profit” Rewards may be material or symbolic Rewards may be material or symbolic Costs may be punishments or foregone rewards Costs may be punishments or foregone rewards Value of costs/rewards is subjective Value of costs/rewards is subjective Rational Decision-Making Rational Decision-Making Unlike SLT, this theory assumes we can look forward AND backward Unlike SLT, this theory assumes we can look forward AND backward Rational doesn’t mean “unemotional” Rational doesn’t mean “unemotional” As with any “rational” choice, we don’t know the actual consequences As with any “rational” choice, we don’t know the actual consequences Interdependence Interdependence We depend on others for these valued resources We depend on others for these valued resources Social positions affect exchange opportunities and value of resources Social positions affect exchange opportunities and value of resources Generalized and restricted exchanges Generalized and restricted exchanges

Key Concepts Social Exchange And Alternatives Social Exchange And Alternatives Principle of Least Costs Principle of Least Costs Comparison Levels (CL) Comparison Levels (CL) Comparison Level For Alternatives (CLalt) Comparison Level For Alternatives (CLalt) Social Exchange And Power Social Exchange And Power Power is an actor’s ability to achieve a favorable outcome at the expense of another. It’s a quality of relationships, not individuals! Power is an actor’s ability to achieve a favorable outcome at the expense of another. It’s a quality of relationships, not individuals! Power Imbalances Power Imbalances Bases Of Power Bases Of Power Bases of power are different for different partners in exchange Bases of power are different for different partners in exchange Bases of power are dependent on alternative partners Bases of power are dependent on alternative partners Bases of power can be undone by coalitions Bases of power can be undone by coalitions Principle of Least Interest Principle of Least Interest

Married Couples & Power

Married Couples & Housework Husband Is Breadwinner Wife Is Breadwinner This line shows how much housework the HUSBAND does NoneNone About Equal NoneNone Why?

Heterosexual Cohabitation Women STILL Do More Housework Cohabiting women do less housework than married women Cohabiting men do more female-typed tasks than married men The EXCHANGE explanation? “Girlfriends” have other alternatives and relationship exits are easier

Homosexual Couples What Do You Do When Gender Is Irrelevant? In heterosexual households, housework is SEGREGATED In lesbian households, housework is EQUALIZED In gay male households, housework is BALANCED What Does Exchange Say? The Partner With Higher Income Does Less Housework!