An episode that best characterizes the Social Exchange theory is one that involves my ex-girlfriend, and myself. We had been having our share of problems when, one day, every argument and disagreement we had culminated into this moment when everything just seemed to explode. She had been angry with me for having left San Diego to attend school in Santa Barbara and I was angry with her for her being angry. I wanted support, and instead, all I received was a guilt trip about how

With the use of applying this theory to an episode as a demonstration, an application, and then an explanation, it is easy to see how the Social Exchange theory is related to everyday situations. Not only can the theory be applied to amorous relationships, but to that of friendships. The utility of the theory is seen in just about every type of interaction and is key to better understanding why relationships, friendships, or any mutual interaction, for that matter, turn out being costly or rewarding.

The Exploratory Affective exchange, which is a concept of the Social Penetration theory, is used more in cases of getting to know someone. It was in fact used in the episode that was given. The Exploratory Affective exchange is used when talking more about likes and dislikes, as well as things that are important to you and the way that you feel about them. It pertains to the episode used, in the sense that the two of us were in fact new people. New in the sense that our ideas of what we wanted and needed had changed, therefore, to get a better understanding of each other, we needed to explore and inquire on what the other felt was best. As a result there was this crossover of the Exploratory Affective exchange from the Social Penetration theory.

behaviors are motivated by some internal drive mechanism” (182). It is only until that person has satisfied that internal drive mechanism that they feel fulfilled.

Some topics in this essay:
Social Exchange, Exchange Theory, West Turner, Unger Johnson, Exploratory Affective, social exchange, Santa Barbara, exchange theory, social exchange theory, Social Penetration, Signifying CLalt, west turner, rewards costs, Motor Skills, comparison level, unger johnson, Harold Kelley, west turner 182, turner 182, assumptions social exchange, social penetration, penetration theory, costs outweigh, social penetration theory, exploratory affective exchange,