Social exchange theory: what is it and who are its authors?

A theory that provides a vision of human relations inspired by economics.

A subject that has been widely studied since psychology has existed is that concerning social relations, and it is that the human being is a bio-psycho-social individual. There is no way to separate human nature from interpersonal relationships.

The theory of social exchange mixes aspects of basic economics with aspects of psychology, and explains how, in an unconscious way, the human being is a bio-psycho-social individual.It explains how we unconsciously seek to obtain the greatest benefit from our social relationships at the lowest cost. In this article we will see its approach, we will see who have been the main exponents of the theory of social exchange throughout history, and we will give a review on how it has been the level of acceptance over time.

Social exchange theory: what is it?

Social exchange theory states that in the emergence of social relations there is a process of cost-benefit evaluation.. Subjects discriminate whether it is worthwhile to establish relationships with other individuals or not.

Individualism and hedonism are its fundamental bases, which state that all behaviors are associated with personal achievement (including social ones) and that the only goal of human beings is to achieve pleasure and individual satisfaction.

Origin

The emergence of this theory dates back to 1956, when John Thibaut and Harold Kelley presented it for the first time. Thibaut and Kelly asserted in their social exchange theory that a relationship between two or more people should result in some kind of gratification for all parties involved, or else the relationship would disappear.otherwise the relationship would disappear. To avoid the dissolution of the group, there had to be a reward, regardless of whether it was material or psychological.

Later, in 1958, it was the American sociologist George C. Homans who made this theory famous with the publication of his work Social Theory as Exchange. Homans stated in his article that social interaction represented a tangible or intangible exchange, where there must be a benefit or a cost for the participants, and that this is what would determine the future of the relationship.

Taking concepts from economics, Homans' theory of social exchange indicates that people inevitably make comparisons between the alternatives that make comparisons between the alternatives presented to them by their relationshipsIn the end, they will end up cultivating more those that generate a greater benefit at a lower cost.

Variations of the theory

Thibaut and Kelly talked about collective benefit in small groups, while Homans emphasized his work on individual benefit. He asserted that in all group relationships subjects always seek to obtain personal benefit.

With the passage of time other theorists joined this trend, among them Peter Blau and Richard M. Emerson, who followed Homans' line.who followed Homans' line of individual benefit. Lévi-Strauss, the famous French anthropologist, also contributed to this theory from the approach of generalized exchange, which sees relationships as a means to an end. For example, marriages arranged for social and economic convenience.

Acceptance and criticism

This theory had a great impact within the psychological schools. supported for a long time by the behaviorist paradigms.The social exchange theory, which was seen as being easy to quantify due to its simplicity, was well suited to the behaviorist theory of stimuli and responses. With the passage of time and the subsequent emergence of the cognitive and constructivist paradigms, the social exchange theory lost weight in the scientific field. Through these lines of research, it was demonstrated that social behavioral behaviors do not respond only to reward interests.

Through the new psychological currents that were emerging, it was determined that social relationships are not an exact science, taking into account that they are subject to emotional variables and learned behavioral factors.

Social relationships according to modern psychology

As far as social relationships are concerned, modern psychology gives greater weight to the environment and culture as determining agents in the bonds we establish with other people.. Human beings are complex individuals in various aspects, and social relationships do not escape this complexity. Although artificial intelligences come very close to the functioning of the human mind, something in which they have not been able to match it is the capacity to feel affection for another organism.

Affection and affection come from very primitive structures of the human brain (limbic system) and rebound in the human brain. (limbic system) and they go beyond any logical barrier they may encounter on their way. That is why when we really love a person we do it without taking into account the interests, for the human being logic and social relations do not necessarily go hand in hand.

By way of conclusion, it can be said that social exchange theory has served as a historical precedent within the field of social psychology. It has given rise to a great variety of experiments over the years. The main cause of the collapse of this theory lies in the lack of interest it showed in the subjective processes that exist when relating to another person, and focused solely on the stimuli.

Bibliographical references:

• DeLamater, J. (2006). Handbook of social psychology. Springer.
• West, R.; Turner, L. (2007). Introducing Communication Theory. McGraw Hill.