Question 1

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 refers to people's expectations about the rewards and punishments they are likely to receive in a particular relationship. It is a standard against which people evaluate the outcomes of their relationships. The comparison level is based on people's past experiences, their observations of other people's relationships, and their personal values and goals.

Question 2

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, people are more likely to leave a relationship if they believe they can find a better alternative. This is known as having a high comparison level for alternatives. Therefore, the best choice is C - having a high comparison level for alternatives.

Question 3

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

According to Rusbult's investment theory, the things that might be lost if a relationship were to end are called investments. These investments can include things like financial security, emotional support, and social status, as well as any other resources that a person has put into the relationship. Rusbult argued that the level of investment in a relationship can influence a person's commitment to that relationship, and can impact their decisions about whether to stay or leave if problems arise.

Question 4

Claire and Matt are involved in a romantic relationship.Matt has recently given Claire a gold bracelet.Because there was no special occasion, Claire now feels the need to reciprocate the gift.The ________ theory of relationships is most applicable in this case.

Accepted Answer

The equity theory of relationships is most applicable in this case because it focuses on the balance of contributions within a relationship, where both partners seek to maintain a fair balance of give and take. Claire's feeling that she needs to reciprocate Matt's gift reflects the desire for equity in their relationship.

Question 5

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...

Question 6

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 7

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 8

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 relationships. Since Carla believes that Ted could offer her an even higher reward than Jack, she is likely to break up with Jack and pursue a relationship with Ted.

Question 9

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 10

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 other man. He wants her to believe that she has limited options and that he is the best choice available to her.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Rusbult defines investment as any inputs into a relationship that would be lost if one left that relationship, including emotional, social, and material resources. It is not limited to monetary inputs or the total costs of leaving a relationship.

Question 12

Although Barbara's relationship with Jaquez 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 Jaquez.

Accepted Answer

Barbara's expectation that most relationships are difficult and costly indicates she has a low comparison level, meaning she expects relatively little in terms of rewards from her relationships. This makes her more tolerant of the low rewards in her current relationship.

Question 13

The basic concepts of social exchange theory address

Accepted Answer

The basic concepts of social exchange theory include rewards and costs, outcomes and comparison level. Equality and equity are related to the concept of equity. Therefore, option C is the best choice as it includes all the three basic concepts of social exchange theory.

Question 14

________ theory holds that people are happiest in their relationships when their rewards and costs are comparable to the rewards and costs of their partners.

Accepted Answer

This statement describes the Equity theory of relationships, which suggests that individuals are happiest in their relationships when they perceive a fair balance between their own inputs (e.g. time, effort, resources) and outputs (e.g. rewards, benefits) compared to what their partner is contributing to the relationship. This theory posits that people may become dissatisfied if they feel they are over-contributing compared to what their partner is bringing to the table, or if they feel their partner is over-contributing compared to what they are doing. The Social Exchange theory (A) is related, but focuses more on the idea of individuals engaging in a cost-benefit analysis of their relationships to maximize their own reward and minimize their losses. Equality (C) and Distributive Justice (D) are not theories specific to relationships, although they may come into play in some situations.

Question 15

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 other researchers suggest that in order to predict relationship satisfaction, we need to consider the partners' level of investment in the relationship. This refers to how much each partner has put into the relationship in terms of time, energy, emotions, and resources. Relationships where both partners have invested heavily are likely to be more satisfying because they are more committed to making it work, whereas relationships where one partner has invested more than the other may be more susceptible to dissatisfaction because of a perceived lack of effort on the part of the other partner. Therefore, choice A is the best answer.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

This idea is not consistent with social exchange theory because it is actually a part of Rusbult's investment model, which expands upon social exchange theory. Social exchange theory primarily focuses on the exchange of rewards and costs in a relationship, while the investment model adds in the factors of commitment and comparison level of alternatives.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

"Pistolão" is a Brazilian term used to describe someone who has personal connections and is willing to use them to help others. Therefore, choice B is the best option as it fits the definition of a "pistolão." Choices A, C, and D are not relevant to the term.

Question 18

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 19

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 believes that his relationship with Kristi provides him with the best outcome that he can expect, meaning he has a high comparison level. However, he also believes that he cannot get as good an outcome with anyone else, which means he has a low comparison level for alternatives. Therefore, the best choice is B (high; low).

Question 20

________ 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.

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