Social Exchange Theory Evaluation

SET

Inappropriate Assumptions

Psychologist disagree with the underlying economical metaphor

Psychologist believe that between colleagues- SET applies

HOWEVER

Romantic relationships- Partners don't keep track of rewards

Ignores EQUITY

SET focuses too much on cost a reward- Doesn't take into consideration fairness

Individual differences

It is very difficult to quantify cost and rewards because they're specific to the individual

What might be a cost to one person could be a reward to another- difficult to compare in CL