Social Exchange Theory. Do you think most people are like this?
Are like what? Is there supposed to be a link?
I was wishing for a "I don't know" button. I haven't really known a large enough cross section of the population to make an educated determination. I am not this way, although I often wish I were because it would save me from eventual heartache. It is a very clinical, cerebral approach to relationships, and for me I'm looking for that subtle, instinctual connection with someone. I'm fairly certain in healthy & happy relationship, both people wish they could give more, and in one doomed to eventually fail, both feel they are the ones giving more and not getting the same from their partner.
The problem of explaining altruism will always undermine social hypotheses like socal exchange. People don't always behave in a logical, cost-analysis manner
I tried adding a 3rd option, but my tablet doesn't want to work right.
Sort of. It doesn't give a complete picture because it ignores the tendency of people to overcommit and, thereby, shortcircuit/bypass the calculation process. People tend to overcommit for family, but will also do it for friends and even complete strangers - else you'd never have people willing to risk their lives jumping into a river to save a stranger from drowning
Yes and no. For romantic partners, that's so, at least in the beginning before too much investment has occurred.
With family and relatives, not so much.
Social exchange theory proposes that social behavior is the result of an exchange process. The purpose of this exchange is to maximize benefits and minimize costs. According to this theory, developed by sociologist George Homans, people weigh the potential benefits and risks of social relationships. When the risks outweigh the rewards, people will terminate or abandon that relationship.
Yes...it has relevance IMO
I think that describes me these days. I used to be the opposite as recently as 2004.