Midterm Examination

in Communication &
Media Theories
Name: Gonzaga, Francine B. 1/13/2024 12:00 PM
BABR OU 1-B Prof. Hemmady Mora
Theoretical Framework
There are two theories that are proposed
to understand the concept of the study of
Online Sexual Experiences and
Relationships: The Filipino OFW lived
experiences with their spouses. These
theories are composed in an Integrated
Theoretical Framework to create sense of
the propositions.
Theoretical Framework
A. Social Exchange Theory
B. Attribution Theory
 Social exchange theory is a concept based on
the idea that social behavior is the result of an
exchange process in which people weigh the
potential costs and benefits of their social
relationships (Cherry,2023). This theory defined
Social social exchange as the exchange of activity,
tangible or intangible, and more or less
Exchange rewarding or costly, between two persons
Theory (Homans as cited in Cook and Rice, 2006 ).
Individuals analyze the costs which consists of
the matters that are negative and benefits that
refers to positive attributes that the other
person has, to determine whether they will
continue to associate themselves with that
relationship or not.
 According to Nakonezny (2008), social exchange
within a marital relationship involves the
transferee of resources. The resources for social
exchange is classified into six categories: love,
Social status, information, money, goods, and services
Exchange (Donnenworth and Fa0 1974 as cited in Wood,
Theory 1983). One of the basic tenets of SET states that
both parties must abide by certain “rules” of
exchange to let the relationship evolve into
trusting, loyal, and mutual commitments
(Cropanzano and Mitchell, 2005).
Reciprocity Rules
The process of reciprocal interdependence begins
when at least one participant initiates an
advancement, and if it is reciprocated, new rounds
of exchange initiates (Cropanzano and Mitchell,
2005). If both parties continuously participate in
trying to make the process in motion, then this can
create a self-reinforcing cycle that is guided
Social
accordingly by the results of the previous exchanges. Exchange
Theory
Theoretical
Framework
Social Exchange
Theory

Figure 1.
  The figure 1 exhibits the organization and
structure of Social Exchange Theory in the
Theoretical context of a relationship. The communication
Framework quality, opportunistic behavior, social
dependence, and financial dependence are the
traits of an individual that could contribute to
Social Exchange
the establishment of trust and satisfaction
Theory
within a relationship. As the individuals in a
marital relationship practice the exchange of
Figure 1. resources, they then analyze the situation and
decide whether they will leave the relationship
or stay committed to it.
 Attribution theory deals with how the social
perceiver uses information to arrive at causal
explanation for events. It examines what
information is gather and how it is combined to
for a causal judgement (Fiske and Taylor, 1991).
Attribution This theory is practiced whenever we examine
Theory causal attributions when encountering behaviors
and events to understand the situation.
Understanding the complexity of attributions
between intrapersonal and interpersonal level is
essential to deduce behaviors and events that
occur inside a marital relationship.
Heider’s
Dispositional Attribution Situational Attribution
Attribution
 A dispositional attribution
Theory means that the outcome is
 A situational attribution
means that the outcome is
- Stated that people attributed to internal cause
(Sengupta, 2020). We try to
assigned to external factors
attribute behavioral understand the occurrence of
(Sengupta, 2020). We try to
outcomes to understand the outcome
the outcome base on
dispositional (internal) base on the situation or event
personal abilities, traits, and
causes or situational that is outside the person’s
skills of the performer of the
(external) causes. control.
act.
 Theoretical
Framework
Attribution Theory

Figure 2.
  The figure 1 exhibits the organization and
structure of Attribution Theory in the context of
Theoretical a relationship. It illustrates on the left side that
Framework the observer or receiver of the action
acknowledge the motivation of the behavior
and the details of its occurrence to formulate
Attribution Theory and perceived its cause. Lastly, as the receiver
of the action perceive the reason behind the
Figure 2. event and behavior, the individual will now
decide what will be the consequences or
reaction to the situation.
In integrating the Social Exchange Theory and Attribution Theory, these
assumption are formulated to understand the dynamic of marital
relationship between OFWs and their spouses:
1. The OFWs and their spouses experience a relationship through a
cost-benefit process. The individuals inside the relationship
exchange effort and benefits necessary to maintain a balanced
engagement. They evaluate the efforts and risks given and
determine whether the relationship is worthwhile. (Social Exchange
Theory)
2. The OFWs and their spouses experience their partner’s behaviors and Integrated
understand it by studying antecedents events, conditions, or traits of
their partner to perceive the reason behind the situation. (Attribution
Theory)
Theoretical
Framework
 Integrated
Theoretical
Figure 3. Framework
The figure 3 illustrates the integration of social exchange theory and attribution
theory that provides a vision of how an online sexual experiences and
relationships develop as both parties interact in a computer-mediated
communication.
• Changes in satisfaction refers to the risks and benefits being given and
received by the individuals in a relationship. Their exchanges of resources will
then be analyze to know the improvements of satisfaction.
• Changes in intimacy refers to the degree of understanding of the
repercussions of the behaviors and events performed by both parties.
• Changes in the outcome of the relationship pertains to the level of
understanding about the internal and external factors that affects the
relationship. This is the stage where individuals formulate their judgements
about their partner and relationship.
Circle is shown in the illustration because relationships often engage in
Integrated
repetitive cycle of understanding and studying the situation of their relationship
then proceed in making a finalized conclusion as the condition of the
relationship prevails.
Theoretical
Framework
 The operational framework present the integrated concepts of the two
theories to understand the operative approach of this study.
 Satisfaction in terms social exchange theory is based in the principle
that people enter relationship that provide them some benefit and
leave the relationship when they perceive that they are not receiving a
benefit from them (Cook, 2015). Thus, the satisfaction in a relationship
will intensify or weaken based on the benefits and risks being
achieved.
Conceptual  Intimacy in an interpersonal attribution is proposed as a means of
refining and expanding conceptualization regarding attribution
Framework process of actors and observers within a relationship (Newman, 1981).
Thus, the intimacy within a relationship of both parties may extend to
being an empathetic, sympathetic, or apathetic.
 The type of relationship being discussed is identified as the Online
Long Distance Relationship. The circle shape symbolizes the self-
reinforcing cycle that occurs in the relationship. The changes that
occurs within the range of this cycle helps determine whether their
connection is developing or deteriorating as they interact in an online
set-up relationship.
Conceptual
Framework
 By integrating the social exchange theory and attribution theory,
the operative approach of this study was utilized. It illustrates the
repetitive cycle that occurs during a long distance relationship while
experiencing several factors that could affect their relationship. The
factors could either result in a upward scale which indicates success
or downward scale which indicates a weakening relationship.
Conceptual
An individuals’ past experiences and history plays an important role
Framework in maintaining a balanced relationship People weigh benefits
against the costs by establishing a comparison level that is often
influenced by past experiences that have built the expectations of
that person (Cherry, 2023). Thus, this will help individuals in a long
distance relationship to maintain their connection as they interact
with one another in a self-reinforcing cycle of a relationship.
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Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-social-exchange-
theory-2795882

Cook, K.S., Rice, E. (2006). Social Exchange Theory. In: Delamater, J. (eds)
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Cropanzano, R., & Mitchell, M. S. (2005). Social exchange theory: An

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Fiske, S. T., & Taylor, S. E. (1991). Social cognition (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill

Nakonezny, P. A., & Denton, W. H. (2008). Marital relationships: A social exchange

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Sengupta, S. (2020, October 27). Heider’s Attribution Theory. Management

Weekly. https://managementweekly.org/heiders-attribution-theory/

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