Contrast Social Exchange Theory with Equity Theory in explaining why people stay in relationships.

• A. SET emphasizes rewards, costs, and alternatives; Equity Theory emphasizes fairness of contributions and outcomes
• B. SET emphasizes fairness of contributions and outcomes; Equity Theory emphasizes rewards, costs, and alternatives
• C. SET ignores costs and rewards; Equity Theory ignores fairness
• D. SET relies on financial considerations; Equity Theory on emotional factors

Answer: (A)

This question tests how two theories explain why people stay in relationships by the way they evaluate what they get back from the relationship. Social Exchange Theory treats staying as a cost-benefit calculation: people weigh rewards against costs and also consider available alternatives. If the rewards feel greater than the costs and the options outside look less attractive, staying is more likely. Equity Theory approaches the decision from fairness: individuals stay when the ratio of what they contribute to what they receive feels proportional to their partner’s ratio, so that neither partner feels over- or under-rewarded.

The best answer captures this contrast: Social Exchange Theory centers on rewards, costs, and alternatives, while Equity Theory centers on fairness of contributions and outcomes. The other choices misstate the theories—for example, suggesting one ignores costs or fairness, or reducing the theories to only financial or emotional factors.