According to Social Exchange Theory, the equation Outcome = Rewards – Costs is a primary explanatory tool in determining whether people will stay in particular relationships.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Social Exchange Theory does include the formula Outcome = Rewards − Costs, but that formula alone is not the primary or sole determinant of whether people will remain in a relationship — so the statement is false.

1) Relevant concepts
- Outcome = Rewards − Costs: a measure of what a person receives from a relationship.
- Comparison Level (CL): the standard used to judge satisfaction (what one expects or believes one deserves).
- Comparison Level for Alternatives (CLalt): the perceived quality of the best available alternative to the current relationship; this governs dependence and likelihood of leaving.
- Satisfaction vs. Dependence: satisfaction is driven by Outcome relative to CL; dependence (staying) is driven by Outcome relative to CLalt.

2) Step-by-step reasoning
- Compute Outcome from rewards and costs.
- Compare Outcome to CL to determine satisfaction.
- Compare Outcome to CLalt to determine whether the person is likely to stay (dependence).
- Therefore, Outcome is an input to decisions, but the decision to stay depends on its relation to CL and CLalt, not Outcome alone.

3) Example with intermediate steps
- Suppose rewards = 8, costs = 3. Outcome = 8 − 3 = 5.
- Let CL = 6 and CLalt = 4.
- Compare Outcome to CL: 5 < 6 → dissatisfied.
- Compare Outcome to CLalt: 5 > 4 → current relationship is better than alternatives → person likely to stay.
This shows Outcome value (5) does not by itself tell us whether someone will stay.

4) Why the correct answer is correct
- The original statement implies Outcome = Rewards − Costs by itself is the primary explanatory tool for staying. Social Exchange Theory explicitly uses CL and CLalt in conjunction with Outcome, so the statement is incomplete and therefore false.

5) Why the alternative ("True") is incorrect
- Claiming the equation alone determines staying ignores CL and CLalt, misrepresenting the theory. Staying depends on Outcome relative to alternatives and expectations, not Outcome in isolation.

6) Conclusion
- Because staying depends on Outcome compared to CL and CLalt, not solely on Outcome = Rewards − Costs, the correct response is False, which matches the provided answer.

According to Social Exchange Theory, the equation Outcome = Rewards – Costs is a primary explanatory tool in determining whether people will stay in particular relationships.单项选择题

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