Brandy Sears
Introductory Sociology
Soci 1301
Professor Sabido
March 05, 2013
The Choices of Brandy Sears
A tool used when looking at the rewards and expenses that affects persons in a relationship is the Social Exchange theory. Basically this theory means that an individual will seek out relationships in which the rewards are greater than the costs. An individual in any type of personal connection with another considers all rewards and costs as they are perceived by the person. These costs and rewards can be anything from wealth or material gifts to types of feelings or loyalty. The first being material rewards or costs and the later being insubstantial rewards or costs. The basic equation of the social exchange theory directly states: Rewards – Costs = Outcome. This social exchange theory is an attempt to explain the different behaviors and motivation that makes a relationship between two individuals. The Social Exchange Theory controls our behavior as well as the reinforcement for our actions. Before we act in most situations, we consider the rewards and costs of the behaviors and consequences. Obviously the behavior used is the one believed to produce the highest reward and the lowest cost .What we perceive to be acceptable or unacceptable in the relationship is up to us and I believe as some to do with the environment we were raised in. I believe what you are willing to Accept or not accept has to do with what you witnessed as a child and what you felt during those critical years of your youth. Relationships are a very complicated thing and we choose those to stay in our life for the rewards we receive rather it be a good feeling or a material reward. Speaking from experience and a very personal one, I have three sisters if you ask anyone that knows me; however I only have one biological sister and she is the one of the three I am most distant from. She drains me when we see one another and she stresses me out every time we talk. My sister is...