Network Exchange Theory in Real Life
There is a theory called Social Exchange Theory that uses the knowledge of Network Exchange Theory but is being used more frequently in our daily lives. Social Exchange Theory studies the social interaction between two parties who implement a cost-benefit analysis to determine risks and benefits. Social Exchange Theory states that the parties that provide the most rewards to people tend to attract people the most. This is exactly like the Network Exchange Theory which people deal wich the party that provides the most benefits to them. The theory suggests that the calculation of benefits occurs in romantic relationships, friendships, professional relationships…
The relationship that satisfies most people is a balanced relationship, which means both parties in the relationship gets the same amount of benefits. People will try their best to reach this balanced relationship but relationships often depend on the powers of the two parties. When we say power in this circumstance, we mean the social power which is the ability that one can influence others’ emotions, actions and thoughts. The factors that influence one’s social power are: rules in society, one’s resources, and interest one has on this relationship. The first two factors are easy to understand. One thing I found interesting in the Social exchange theory is that people that has less interest in the relationship can actually gain more benefit from the relationship than the one that is more interested in the relationship. Just like in the Network Exchange Theory, the party that has an outside option will be less interested in the relationship than the one that doesn’t.
One common example we can see in our real life happens in the romantic relationships. Suppose you have made a positive commitment to your relationship with your lover, but you feel that your lover does not show much interest like you, because he/she doesn’t seem too be eager to make a promise, you will feel that you should do more to win his/her love and attention. When the effort does not bring any changes, you will work even harder, thinking that you can win the love of lovers, so you do everything for him/her: you might buy flowers, present, write postcards, show him/her the most romantic scenes you can think out. You will condone all of his/her thoughts or behaviors. They more you concess, the colder he/she will react to you and the colder he/she is, the more you concess. And your behaviors form a cycle that is bad to you and you will pay more and more and the other one get more and more benefits.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_exchange_theory#Power_dependence_relations