ACHIEVERS UNIVERSITY OWO

NAME: Falodun pelumi Stephen

Matriculation number: AUO20CS3396

Course Code: SOC413

Course Title: Contemporary sociological theory

Presentation topic: Exchange theory

Date: November 14, 2023.

Lecturer: Doc. Ifeoluwa Komolafe.

 Definitions

 Units of analysis

 Tenet

 Contributions

 Criticism
 DEFINITIONS

In the last two decades or more, social exchange theory has been a fundamental tool used in

understanding social interaction in social sciences. Social exchange theory is a sociological and

psychological theory that studies the social behavior in the interaction of two parties that

implement a cost-benefit analysis to determine risks and benefits. Hence, several key theorists

like George Homans, Peter Blau, and Richard Emerson have been able to give profound
(Cook et al., 2013)
definitions to this phenomenon .

George Homans is an American sociologist who defined exchange theory as the exchange of

activity, tangible or intangible, and more or less rewarding or costing between at least two

persons. According to this theory, people make decisions by consciously or unconsciously

measuring the cost and reward of a relationship or action, ultimately seeking to maximize their
(online Msw programs, 2022).
reward The idea does not employ emotional measurements to

measure relationships; instead, it concentrates on in-person interactions.

Peter Blau defined exchange behavior as “voluntary actions of individuals that are motivated by
(Richard M. Emerson, 1976)
the returns they are expected to bring” . This definition is similar to

that of Homan’s although Peter Blau used more economic terms and focused more on emergent
(Lawler & Thye, 1999)
social structure in social exchange patterns in small groups .

Richard Emerson viewed exchange theory not as a theory but as a framework from which other
(Emerson, 1976)
theories can converge and be compared to structural functionalism Emerson

emphasized resource availability, power, and dependence as primary dynamics in social

exchange theory and so he claimed the perspectives of Homans and Peter Blau collectively

contribute to the understanding of social exchange theory as a framework for analyzing social
behavior based on cost-benefit analysis and the dynamics of power and dependence in

relationships.

UNITS OF ANALYSIS

The units of analysis for social exchange theory include:

1. exchange relations,

2. individual decisions, and

3. social behavior in dyadic and collective relations.

 Exchange relations: Emerson's framework of power emphasizes exchange relations

as a unit of analysis, which made exchange theory less reductionist and

(Charlotte Nickerson & Saul Mcleod, 2023)
tautological .

 Individual decisions: Social exchange theory addresses how people make decisions

about how much they are willing to give in exchange for a particular reward and

what factors influence people to pursue or terminate relationships

(Charlotte Nickerson & Saul Mcleod, 2023)
.

 Social behavior in dyadic and collective relations: Additionally, the theory explains

the social behavior in dyadic and collective relations by applying the principle of
(Davlembayeva & Alamanos, 2023)
cost-benefit analysis of relations . Therefore,

the units of analysis for social exchange theory encompass exchange relations,

individual decisions, and social behavior in various types of relationships and

interactions
(Charlotte Nickerson & Saul Mcleod, 2023; Davlembayeva & Alamanos, 2023
.