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

The Masque Of The Red Death By Edgar Allen Poe Essays -

The Masque of the Red Death by Edgar Allen Poe Edgar Allen Poe's ?The Masque of the Red Death? is an elaborate allegory that combines objects in the story with visual descriptions to give focus to the reader's imagination. In the story, a prince named Prospero tries to dodge the Red Death through isolation and seclusion. He hides behind impenetrable walls of his castellated abbey and lets the world take care of its own. But no walls can stop death because it is unavoidable and inevitable. Visual descriptions in the story are used to symbolize the death that came to a dark, unkind and ignorant prince. Prospero failed to see that death "held illimitable dominion over all." The manner in which Prospero arranged his castle symbolically hinted the coming of death: "The seventh apartment was closely shrouded in black velvet tapestries that hung all over the ceiling and down the walls, falling in heavy folds upon a carpet of the same material and hue." This dark manner in which the castle was decorated conforms to the image of the Prince being a ruthless, uncaring ruler. Prince Prospero's actions proved to be cowardly, as he and his selection of knights, dames, and nobles, retreated into his castle. He thought that in doing this, he would in some way, escape the wrath of the Red Death. He could care less about his people, locking them out of his home and leaving them uncared-for. Hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second, the life of the ebony clock slowly dies. This is a hint that the Prince fails to recognize- that man can escape death, but at the end it is inescapable. Him and his court are too busy dancing away and their moment of death comes closer and closer. Prince Prospero's efforts of avoid the epidemic is unsuccessful because death will eventually conquer all who oppose. In the final scene, Prospero had to ?confront? the Red Death. This time however, he had no where to run away to and died in encounter with the Red Death. His ultimate enemy was his refusal to except death as it comes.

Free Essays on Organizational Change And Development

organization development is a system and or effort that are set up in a specific way. In the table shown below is the â€Å"planed system of change† (Jacobs, 1994). TABLE 1 Planned. OD takes a long-range approach to improving organizational performance and efficiency. It avoids the (usual) "quick-fix". Organization-wide. OD focuses on the total system. Managed from the top. To be effective, OD must have the support of top-management. They have to model it, not just espouse it. The OD process also needs the buy-in and ownership of workers throughout the organization. 2 Increase organization effectiveness and health. OD is tied to the bottom-line. Its goal is to improve the organization, to make it more efficient and more competitive by aligning the organization's systems with its people. Planned interventions. After proper preparation, OD uses activities called interventions to make system wide, permanent changes in the organization. Using behavioral-science knowledge. OD is a discipline that combines research and experience to understanding people, business systems, and their interactions. There are several ways organizations go about change efforts, examples are technological innovation, training and development or new product development. These ways a... Free Essays on Organizational Change And Development Free Essays on Organizational Change And Development ORGANIZATION DEVELOPMENT AND INTERVENTIONS What is organization development? â€Å"Organization development is a process that applies behavioral science knowledge and practices to help organizations achieve greater effectiveness†. (Cumming and Worley, 2001). The purpose of organization development is basically to help the company grow and develop as an organization. â€Å"Organization development is an effort, planned organization wide and managed from the top to increase organization effectiveness and health through planned interventions in the organization’s processes, using behavioral science knowledge†. (Rouda and Kusy, 1995). In other words organization development is a system and or effort that are set up in a specific way. In the table shown below is the â€Å"planed system of change† (Jacobs, 1994). TABLE 1 Planned. OD takes a long-range approach to improving organizational performance and efficiency. It avoids the (usual) "quick-fix". Organization-wide. OD focuses on the total system. Managed from the top. To be effective, OD must have the support of top-management. They have to model it, not just espouse it. The OD process also needs the buy-in and ownership of workers throughout the organization. 2 Increase organization effectiveness and health. OD is tied to the bottom-line. Its goal is to improve the organization, to make it more efficient and more competitive by aligning the organization's systems with its people. Planned interventions. After proper preparation, OD uses activities called interventions to make system wide, permanent changes in the organization. Using behavioral-science knowledge. OD is a discipline that combines research and experience to understanding people, business systems, and their interactions. There are several ways organizations go about change efforts, examples are technological innovation, training and development or new product development. These ways a...

Battle of Ashdown in the Viking-Saxon Wars

Battle of Ashdown in the Viking-Saxon Wars Battle of Ashdown - Conflict Date: The Battle of Ashdown was fought January 8, 871, and was part of the Viking-Saxon Wars. Armies Commanders: Saxons Prince Alfred of Wessexapprox. 1,000 men Danes King BagsecgKing Halfdan Ragnarssonapprox. 800 men Battle of Ashdown - Background: In 870, the Danes embarked on an invasion of the Saxon kingdom of Wessex. Having conquered East Anglia in 865, they sailed up the Thames and came ashore at Maidenhead. Moving inland, they swiftly captured the Royal Villa at Reading and began fortifying the site as their base. As work progressed, the Danish commanders, Kings Bagsecg and Halfdan Ragnarsson, dispatched raiding parties towards Aldermaston. At Englefield, these raiders were met and defeated by Aethelwulf, the Ealdorman of Berkshire. Reinforced by King Ethelred and Prince Alfred, Aethelwulf and the Saxons were able to force the Danes back to Reading. Battle of Ashdown - The Vikings Strike: Seeking to follow up on Aethelwulfs victory, Ethelred planned an assault on the fortified camp at Reading. Attacking with his army, Ethelred was unable to break through the defenses and was driven from the field by the Danes. Falling back from Reading, the Saxon army escaped from their pursuers in the Whistley marshes and made camp across the Berkshire Downs. Seeing an opportunity to crush the Saxons, Bagsecg and Halfdan rode out from Reading with the bulk of their army and made for the downs. Spotting the Danish advance, 21-year old Prince Alfred, rushed to rally his brothers forces. Riding to the top of Blowingstone Hill (Kingstone Lisle), Alfred made use of an ancient perforated sarsen stone. Known as the Blowing Stone, it was capable of producing a loud, booming sound when blown into correctly. With the signal sent out across the downs, he rode to a hill-fort near Ashdown House to gather his men, while Ethelreds men rallied at nearby Hardwell Camp. Uniting their forces, Ethelred and Alfred learned that the Danes had encamped at nearby Uffington Castle. On the morning of January 8, 871, both forces marched out and formed for battle on the plain of Ashdown. Battle of Ashdown - The Armies Collide: Though both armies were in place, neither appeared eager to open the battle. It was during this lull that Ethelred, against Alfreds wishes, departed the field to attend church services at nearby Aston. Unwilling to return until the service was finished, he left Alfred in command. Assessing the situation, Alfred realized that the Danes had occupied a superior position on higher ground. Seeing that they would have to attack first or be defeated, Alfred ordered the Saxons forward. Charging, the Saxon shield wall collided with the Danes and battle commenced. Clashing near a lone, gnarled thorn tree, the two sides inflicted heavy casualties in the melee that ensued. Among those struck down was Bagsecg as well as five of his earls. With their losses mounting and one of their kings dead, the Danes fled the field and returned to Reading. Battle of Ashdown - Aftermath: While the casualties for the Battle of Ashdown are not known, the chronicles of the day report them as being heavy on both sides. Though an enemy, the body of King Bagsecg was buried at Waylands Smithy with full honors while the bodies of his earls were interred at Seven Barrows near Lambourn. While Ashdown was a triumph for Wessex, the victory proved pyrrhic as the Danes defeated Ethelred and Alfred two weeks later at Basing, then again at Merton. At the latter, Ethelred was mortally wounded and Alfred became king. In 872, after a string of defeats, Alfred made peace with the Danes. Selected Sources Berkshire History: The Legends of King AlfredBattle of AshdownBBC: King Alfred

Research Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 3

Research Paper - Essay Example The research supports conformity because it promotes this imitation of behavior of people who have better and more valid sources of information. Research ensures this conformity by bringing about informational social influence (Aronson, Wilson, and Akert). This type of influence motivates common public to put trust in the way more learned people interpret confusing or ambiguous situations. Conformity is supported when people believe that this other version of interpretation is more reliable than their individual versions. This sort of conformity helps people see the right way amidst much darkness and go for the right course of action. Researchers are known for passing on more efficient and innovative behaviors to the rest of the world by using the tool of informational social influence. This suggests that particular groups in society have the power to design behavioral conventions on basis of evidence-based knowledge which are not yet witnessed in other groups. These particular group s then pass on their conventions to other groups and make them conform to them. People who do not show interest in conforming to new ideals have to try harder to gain social acceptance than people who demonstrate the tendency to conform (Aronson, Wilson, and Akert). This means that research or experimentally induced innovations lead to change things via conformity in people. People conform to be socially accepted. Comparing Turkey and America side by side in context of conformity reveals that on a general basis, people in Turkey show more willingness to engage in conforming behavior than Americans. They think less of themselves as individual beings and strive to align themselves with others or social norms. There is not as much freedom to be seen in Turkey as in America because less people go for the option of living by personal philosophies. Rather, a majority of population considers it safe to conform. This is because of two factors.