Understanding Social Exchange Theory

Social exchange theory is a model for interpreting society as a series of interactions between people that are based on estimates of rewards and punishments. According to this view, our interactions are determined by the rewards or punishments that we expect to receive from others, which we evaluate using a  cost-benefit analysis  model (whether consciously or subconsciously). Overview Central to the social exchange theory is the idea that an interaction that elicits approval from another person is more likely to be repeated than an interaction that elicits disapproval. We can thus predict whether a particular interaction will be repeated by calculating the degree of reward (approval) or punishment (disapproval) resulting from the interaction. If the reward for an interaction exceeds the punishment, then the interaction is likely to occur or continue. According to this theory, the formula for predicting the behavior of any individual in any situation is: Behavior (profits) Rewards of interaction – costs of interaction. Rewards can come in many forms: social recognition, money, gifts, and even subtle everyday gestures like a smile, nod, or pat on the back. Punishments also come in many forms, from extremes like public humiliation, beating, or execution, to subtle gestures like a raised eyebrow or a frown. While social exchange theory is found in economics and psychology, it was first developed by the sociologist George Homans, who wrote about it in an essay titled Social Behavior as Exchange. Later, sociologists Peter Blau and Richard Emerson further developed the theory. Example A simple example of social exchange theory can be seen in the interaction of asking someone out on a date. If the person says yes, you have gained a reward and are likely to repeat the interaction by asking that person out again, or by asking someone else out. On the other hand, if you ask someone out on a date and they reply, â€Å"No way!† then you have received a punishment that will probably cause you to shy away from repeating this type of interaction with the same person in the future. Basic Assumptions of Social Exchange Theory People who are involved in the interaction are rationally seeking to maximize their profits.Most gratification among humans comes from others.People have access to information about social, economic, and psychological aspects of their interactions that allow them to consider the alternative, more profitable situations relative to their present situation.People are goal oriented in a freely competitive system.The exchange operates within cultural norms.Social credit is preferred over social indebtedness.The more deprived the individual feels in terms of an act, the more the person will assign a value to it.People are rational and calculate the best possible means to compete in rewarding situations. The same is true of punishment avoidance situations. Critiques Many critique this theory for presuming that people always make rational decisions, and point out that this theoretical model fails to capture the power that emotions play in our daily lives and in our interactions with others. This theory also undercuts the power of social structures and forces, which unconsciously shape our perception of the world and our experiences within it, and play a strong role in shaping our interactions with others.

Adolf Hilter Was Not Born A Monster Essay - 1490 Words

Adolf Hilter was not born a monster, he was molded into one. Hard to believe that this man that had cause so much harm didn’t rise from the gates of hell. A man that had no remorse for his action and genuinely thought he was doing good for his people, a man that prosecuted and murdered millions for his belief of the greater good, his belief of the superior race, a man that inflicted fear into the whole world. The German people unaware of the atrocities that was occurring in the outskirts of their homeland blindly followed him because within him they saw salvation from the depths the world cruelly put them in following the events of WWI. This tragedy begins during his childhood, the fundamental years of one’s life. Shaped by a strict father, and little interest for school. Adolf eventually dropped out at 16 with no qualifications. His parents rejected his desire to pursue an education and career as an artist influencing him to leave home and travel to Vienna in 1908. Alt hough he would be rejected from the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts, during this time in his life he would encounter the individuals whom would shape his radical and extremist ideologies. Ideologies that would shake the world, and eventually lead to the deaths of millions and influence a group for decades to come. Mayor of Vienna Karl Lueger, anti-Semitic politics were fundamental in Hitler’s policies. He spent a couple of years in Vienna on the streets struggling as a painter. However, he hated the multi-ethnic

Forced Community Service Persuassive Essay Free Essays

Benchmark Essay Courtney Ceurvels Purple 6/12/12 Students shouldn’t be required to perform seventy five hours of community service. This is because the work wouldn’t be done well if the students were forced. Also time would be taken away from clubs, sports, social life and school work. We will write a custom essay sample on Forced Community Service Persuassive Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now Then again it will make the town look better. If students were forced to do volunteer work to complete schooling then it would most likely not be done well. Being forced the students won’t get the same lesson and/or experience from it. Never mind the work wouldn’t be done as well because they don’t want to do it. Then if they don’t want to do it, the work won’t be done to the best of their ability. Also forcing 75 hours of volunteer work would take time away from school work, sports, clubs and social life. Most kids have sports practice or club meeting after school hours then have t complete school work after that. With a schedule already that packed then adding more responsibility to a student’s life could effect their sleeping habits and cause stress. Volunteer work could also lower grades and the sport skills of students if they miss practice or studying time over community service work. Some people might say that it would make the town a better place to make the students more involved. Also some might complain that it would keep kids out of trouble, when really all you’re doing if giving them another way to get in trouble. Since kids are forced to do the work and some are already extremely busy then they won’t complete their hours and then that would effect them receiving a diploma. This is why students shouldn’t be required to perform 75 hours of community service for schooling. The students are already too busy with their school work, clubs, sports and social life. They would have a bad work ethic since they were being forced, also it wouldn’t have the same meaning/lesson. The only pro is that it would help the town but in this situation, the cons greatly outweigh the pros. How to cite Forced Community Service Persuassive Essay, Essay examples