Question 1

Nicole and Travis have been dating for about six months. While out to dinner one night, Nicole notices a very attractive man sitting two tables over. Travis, seeing Nicole's wandering eyes, begins to point out flaws in this other man. Travis is attempting to

Accepted Answer

Travis is attempting to decrease Nicole's perception of her comparison level alternatives by pointing out flaws in the attractive man. This makes other potential partners seem less desirable and increases the likelihood that Nicole will perceive Travis as a better option.

Question 2

Although Barbara's relationship with James provides relatively few rewards compared to the costs, Barbara has come to expect that most relationships are difficult and costly. Thus, although Barbara holds a ________, she is unlikely to abandon her relationship with James.

Accepted Answer

Barbara has a low comparison level, meaning she has low expectations for what she should receive in a relationship, which aligns with her belief that most relationships are difficult and costly.

Question 3

The basic concepts of social exchange theory address

Accepted Answer

The basic concepts of social exchange theory include rewards and costs, outcome, and comparison level. These concepts are central to the theory as they represent the underlying mechanisms through which individuals evaluate their relationships with others. Reward and costs refer to the positive and negative outcomes associated with a particular relationship or interaction, while outcome is the overall balance of positive and negative outcomes. Comparison level refers to an individual's expectations about what a relationship should provide, while comparison level for alternatives represents an individual's assessment of the relative value of available alternatives. These concepts work together to shape an individual's evaluation of a particular relationship or interaction.

Question 4

Carla is involved in a romantic relationship with Jack. Her costs of the relationship are relatively low and her rewards are very high with this relationship. However, Carla has recently met Ted, and she believes that he could offer her a relationship with even higher rewards than Jack. According to social exchange theory, Carla is likely to

Accepted Answer

According to social exchange theory, individuals are motivated to maximize their rewards and minimize their costs in any relationship. Given that Carla believes she could have even higher rewards with Ted, she is likely to break up with Jack in favor of this new relationship.

Question 5

The social exchange theory of interpersonal attraction can be considered to be a(n) ________ model.

Accepted Answer

The social exchange theory of interpersonal attraction is based on the idea that people are motivated to maximize their benefits in relationships and minimize their costs. This concept is similar to economic models of decision-making, where individuals weigh the costs and benefits of different options before making a choice. Therefore, the social exchange theory can be considered an economic model of interpersonal attraction.

Question 6

Rusbult and other researchers suggest that in trying to predict relationship satisfaction, we need to consider not only the rewards and costs of a given relationship, but also

Accepted Answer

Rusbult and others suggest that in predicting relationship satisfaction, we need to consider not only the rewards and costs of a given relationship but also the partners' level of investment in the relationship. This refers to how much time, energy, and resources each partner has committed to the relationship, which can be a predictor of commitment and stability in the long term. The other options, such as the type of love involved or the sexual orientation of the partners, may influence the dynamics of the relationship but are not as crucial in predicting satisfaction as the level of investment.

Question 7

According to social exchange theory, even if someone is in a good relationship, he or she would be likely to leave if he or she has a

Accepted Answer

According to social exchange theory, individuals are more likely to leave a relationship if they have a higher comparison level for alternatives, meaning they feel they could find a better relationship outside of their current one. This is because individuals are constantly evaluating the costs and benefits of their relationships and will ultimately choose the option that they believe provides them with the greatest rewards relative to the costs involved.

Question 8

________ is to one's current partner as ________ is to a possible future partner.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B) Comparison level; comparison level for alternatives. The comparison level refers to the standard against which one's current relationship is judged, while the comparison level for alternatives refers to the evaluation of the potential of alternatives to the current relationship.

Question 9

Which of the following ideas is not consistent with social exchange theory (including Rusbult's expansion of the theory)?

Accepted Answer

Social exchange theory and Rusbult's expansion suggest that commitment is determined by satisfaction, investment, and comparison level of alternatives, not that commitment determines the comparison level of alternatives.

Question 10

Keep in mind Rusbult's (1983) social exchange approach to relationships. Who is more likely to realize that relationships involve costs as well as rewards?

Accepted Answer

Rusbult's social exchange approach suggests that individuals who have been in a relationship for a longer time, like Jessica, are more likely to recognize that relationships involve both costs and rewards due to their extended experience and investment in the relationship.

Question 11

Erich Fromm (1955) wrote, "Love is often nothing but a favorable exchange between two people who get the most of what they can expect, considering their value on the personality market." Although a bit cynical, this description of friendship is most compatible with the ________ theory of attraction.

Accepted Answer

Erich Fromm's description of love as a favorable exchange between two people who get the most of what they can expect, considering their value on the personality market, is most compatible with the social exchange theory of attraction. This theory suggests that people are motivated to maximize their rewards and minimize their costs in relationships, and that relationships are successful to the extent that the rewards outweigh the costs. Fromm's description emphasizes the idea of a favorable exchange, suggesting that people are seeking to get the most they can out of a relationship, which is a central feature of the social exchange theory.

Question 12

In her investment model of close relationships, what does Rusbult (1983) define as an investment?

Accepted Answer

Rusbult (1983) defines investment as any inputs into a relationship that would be lost if one left that relationship, including emotional investments such as time, energy, and shared experiences, as well as tangible investments such as financial assets or jointly-held possessions.

Question 13

Miguel believes that rewards are an important part of maintaining a relationship. His friend Lucas is his "pistolão." That means Lucas

Accepted Answer

The term "pistolão" in Portuguese slang refers to someone who uses their personal connections or influence to help others. Therefore, Lucas is someone who can help Miguel obtain rewards in his relationships, which aligns with Miguel's belief that rewards are important.

Question 14

Cliff believes that his relationship with Kristi provides as many rewards and as few costs as he expects in a relationship. Cliff considers himself fortunate, because he does not believe that he can get nearly as good an outcome with anyone else. Cliff can be described as having a ________ comparison level and a ________ comparison level for alternatives.

Accepted Answer

Cliff has a high comparison level, meaning that he considers his current relationship to be satisfying and rewarding. However, he also has a low comparison level for alternatives, meaning that he does not believe he could find a better outcome with anyone else.

Question 15

How would investment model researchers like Rusbult and Martz (1995) explain why battered women often return to their abusive partners?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How would investment model researchers like Rusbult...

Question 16

Rusbult's (1983) research on college-age dating couples showed that rewards played a role in determining satisfaction ________ and that costs played a role ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rusbult's (1983) research on college-age dating couples...

Question 17

Consider the following things that a person might experience in a relationship: financial security, emotional support, social status. According to Rusbult's (1983) investment theory, these things that might be lost were the relationship to end are called

Accepted Answer

Rusbult's (1983) investment theory refers to the things that someone might lose if a relationship were to end as investments. These investments can be in the form of time, money, energy or even emotional investment.

Question 18

According to Rusbult's investment model of relationships,

Accepted Answer

Rusbult's investment model suggests that commitment to a relationship is influenced by satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and investment size. Thus, individuals may stay in abusive relationships due to high investments and poor alternatives.

Question 19

According to social exchange theory, ________ refers to people's expectations about the rewards and punishments they are likely to receive in a particular relationship.

Accepted Answer

According to social exchange theory, the comparison level (CL) refers to people's expectations about the rewards and punishments they are likely to receive in a particular relationship. The CL is based on past experiences and serves as a standard against which people judge their current relationships. The CL plays a crucial role in determining whether people are satisfied or dissatisfied with a particular relationship.

Question 20

Social exchange theory posits that relationship satisfaction depends on our perceptions of the rewards and costs associated with the relationship, what kind of relationship we believe we deserve, and whether

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social exchange theory posits that relationship satisfaction...

Quiz 10: Interpersonal Attraction: From First Impressions to Close Relationships