Which of the following is a criticism of the Social Exchange Theory?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Social Exchange Theory (SET) posits that interpersonal relationships are maintained by a cost–benefit analysis: people seek to maximize rewards and minimize costs, compare outcomes to alternatives and to a comparison level, and make decisions based on perceived net profit. Key concepts include rewards, costs, comparison level, comparison level for alternatives, and the assumption of rational calculation.

1) Relevant knowledge points and concepts
- Rewards and costs: emotional, material, social benefits vs. effort, time, conflict.
- Comparison processes: people evaluate relationships against expectations and alternatives.
- Underlying assumption: actors are rational calculators who weigh options to make choices.

2) Step-by-step reasoning to the criticism
- SET’s market metaphor implies decision-making follows cognitive evaluation of rewards/costs.
- Critics argue human relationships are influenced by emotions, attachment styles, cultural norms, power dynamics, and irrational biases.
- Therefore a core criticism is that SET overstates rationality: it treats all actors as logical calculators when many decisions are driven by emotion, habit, or social pressures.

3) Intermediate steps (logical progression)
- Premise: SET models choices as utility maximization.
- Observation: Empirical evidence shows emotions, altruism, and unconscious motives often guide behavior.
- Conclusion: The universal rational-actor assumption is unrealistic and a valid critique.

4) Why the correct answer is correct
- "The theory assumes that all people make decision about relationships rationally." precisely captures the critique that SET generalizes rational calculation to all individuals and situations, ignoring nonrational influences.

5) Why other options are incorrect
- Option 1 ("assumes people make decision...by calculating rewards") describes SET’s central premise, not a criticism.  
- Option 2 ("attracted by superficial characteristics") fits theories of attraction but is not a defining claim or primary criticism of SET.  
- Option 3 ("relate to others using cognitive processes") restates the cognitive/rational aspect but is less specifically framed as a criticism; the critique targets the universality ("all people") rather than mere cognitive involvement.

Conclusion: The best criticism is that SET assumes all people make relationship decisions rationally, which matches the provided correct answer.

Which of the following is a criticism of the Social Exchange Theory?Single choice

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