Explain social-exchange theory and how it is particularly appropriate for marriage and family.?

Question

Explain social-exchange theory and how it is particularly appropriate for marriage and family.?

Answer 1

Like this: We are strangers, I give you a gift and you accept. From there you may be compelled to return the favor. Or, you can take it and choose not to reciprocate (although this seems universally unfavored by cultures. Some researchers advise there is an innate tendency in humans to be uncomfortable not reciprocating in some way) I can gauge your valuation of our relationship by what you return. If you give me something more valuable, I may be compelled to give to you an even higher value gift in order to preserve the sense of importance you believe I have for the relationship. This can lead to a virtuous escalation which is unsustainable, although usually both actors know the limits of the other in this kind of display.For example though,  if you are a man, you may run into this over the course of 4 or 5 anniversaries, Valentines Days and birthdays. The scrutiny of the fifth years' gifts is via comparison to the previous gifts. This can cause some serious budgetary/relational collisions if the receiver feels that the magnitude of the gift doesn't match the relationship and what they have contributed or forfeited to maintain it.