1. Power And Intimate Relationships
Exchange Theory
Power And Intimate Relationships

2. Key Concepts Rewards And Costs . . . again! Rational Decision-Making
Focus is on the give-and-take of economic transactions: “profit”
Rewards may be material or symbolic
Costs may be punishments or foregone rewards
Value of costs/rewards is subjective
Rational Decision-Making
Unlike SLT, this theory assumes we can look forward AND backward
Rational doesn’t mean “unemotional”
As with any “rational” choice, we don’t know the actual consequences
Interdependence
We depend on others for these valued resources
Social positions affect exchange opportunities and value of resources
Generalized and restricted exchanges

3. Key Concepts Social Exchange And Alternatives
Principle of Least Costs
Comparison Levels (CL)
Comparison Level For Alternatives (CLalt)
Social Exchange And Power
Power is an actor’s ability to achieve a favorable outcome at the expense of another. It’s a quality of relationships, not individuals!
Power Imbalances
Bases Of Power
Bases of power are different for different partners in exchange
Bases of power are dependent on alternative partners
Bases of power can be undone by coalitions
Principle of Least Interest

4. Married Couples & Power

5. Married Couples & Housework
About Equal
This line shows how much housework the HUSBAND does
Why?
Husband Is Breadwinner
Wife Is Breadwinner
None
None

6. Heterosexual Cohabitation
Women STILL Do
More Housework
Cohabiting women do less housework than married women
Cohabiting men do more female-typed tasks than married men
The EXCHANGE explanation?
“Girlfriends” have
other alternatives and relationship exits are easier

7. What Do You Do When Gender Is Irrelevant?
Homosexual Couples
What Do You Do When Gender Is Irrelevant?
In heterosexual households,
housework is SEGREGATED
In lesbian households,
housework is EQUALIZED
In gay male households,
housework is BALANCED
What Does Exchange Say?
The Partner With Higher Income
Does Less Housework!