Exchange Theory
The exchange theory is based on the rewards and costs of a relationship to determine the outcome of the situation (uky.edu). People in relationships will try to have more benefits than costs, and if this does not occur they will most likely end the relationship they are in. However, when the rewards to outweight the costs, we will want to move toward a closer relationship with that person. This theory was derieved from John Thibaut and Harold Kelley. The premise of this theory is that humans will act in a certain way with others, hoping thier actions will be replicated and done back to them by the other person in the relationship (uky.edu).
For example, if Bob and Jill are in a relationship and Jill always skips going out with her girlfriends to stay home with Bob. However, when she is home with Bob all they do is fight and Bob complains about Jill's friends. In this situation for Jill, her costs are outweighing the benefits of being in a relationship with Bob.
This kind of relationship does not just occur between two people dating, but it can also occur between friends, a sports player and an agent, a celebrity and thier manager, etc.
Click here to view an example of how when the costs outweigh the benefits and a relationship ends. *This video has some adult content*
