Eight-year-old Cindy has to decide whether to be best friends with Jillian, who has lots of toys to play with, or with Kaitlin, whose family has invited Cindy to go camping with them. According to social exchange theory, Cindy's choice will most likely be influenced by her consideration of which of the following?

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According to social exchange theory, people make decisions based on their comparison level for alternatives, which is a standard of what they believe they can realistically expect from their relationships. In this case, Cindy's decision will likely be influenced by her evaluation of the benefits and drawbacks of each potential friendship and her comparison level for the quality of friendships she could have. She may choose to be friends with Jillian because of the immediate benefits of having lots of toys to play with, or she may choose to be friends with Kaitlin because of the potential for a more fulfilling long-term relationship through camping trips and shared experiences.

Eight-Year-Old Cindy Has to Decide Whether to Be Best Friends