University Essay: Social Exchange Theory in Communication

This essay delves into the Social Exchange Theory of communication, highlighting how social behaviors are a result of exchanges between individuals, emphasizing the costs and rewards involved in interactions. The essay provides examples to illustrate the theory, such as an employee seeking a more rewarding job or a person evaluating potential partners. It discusses the theory's inclusivity, improvements it brought to understanding organizational and technological relationships, and its role in friendships and romantic communication. Furthermore, it explores the theory's relevance in business settings and long-term relationships, concluding that the Social Exchange Theory provides a framework for understanding social interactions across various contexts. The essay supports its arguments with references to key literature in the field.

Running head: COMMUNICATION THEORY
Social Exchange Theory of Communication
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1COMMUNICATION THEORY
Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Discussion..................................................................................................................................2
Examples highlighting the working of Social Exchange Theory communication.....................2
Social Exchange theory as the most inclusive theory of communication..............................3
Improvements that took place through Social Exchange Theory of communication............3
Social aspects of social exchange theory in maintaining friendships....................................3
Effect of gender and romantic communication on the theory................................................3
Role of Social Exchange Theory of communication in business setting...............................4
Personal examples highlight the role of Social Exchange Theory of communication..........4
Role of Social Exchange Theory of communication in improving long term relationships..4
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5

2COMMUNICATION THEORY
Introduction
The social exchange theory of communication highlights that social behaviour is a
result of the exchange process between two individuals. This theory emphasizes on cost
related to the interactions of two individuals in the social environment. The cost is viewed as
a negative consequence of the decision making processes such as money, time and energy.
On the other hand, the rewards are due to the positive results of the social exchanges.
Therefore, it can be said that it is important to subtract the costs from the rewards and this
will make it easier in the calculation of values (Mitchell, Cropanzano & Quisenberry, 2012).
Discussion
Examples highlighting the working of Social Exchange Theory
communication
An example can be cited as an employee who realizes that hard work is not
acknowledged in the office and thus the employee tries to switch his/her job. This is
considered to be more rewarding for the employee where he/she gets the same benefits with
less effort.
Another example can be cited of a bachelor bride who thinks that there are several
criteria’s that has to be checked when choosing her life partner. She prefers that the guy
should be handsome, caring, fun loving and this is considered to be the reward. However,
there is risk associated in the relationship if the guy is not rich like her friend’s husband.
An example can be cited of the dairy farmer and the vegetable farmer when they enter into
a relationship to exchange the goods and thus carry out their business smoothly.

3COMMUNICATION THEORY
Social Exchange theory as the most inclusive theory of communication
The social exchange theory of communication helps individuals to make choices
about their relationship and this is based on the rational decision-making process. There are
different priorities and factors that have to be taken into consideration and this will make it
easier to carry out the process of teamwork. The business will also achieve positive results
through the social exchange theory of communication and thus it will strengthen the skills of
the employees working in the team (Colquitt et al., 2013).
Improvements that took place through Social Exchange Theory of communication
The social exchange theory has made it easier to understand the human exchange
level of information between the different organizations that are considered to be related to
the technology as well as economic perspectives. The process of knowledge sharing is also
explained easily with the social exchange theory and thus it has become easier to understand
the inter-organizational relationships through different forms of economic elements (Mitchell,
Cropanzano & Quisenberry, 2012).
Social aspects of social exchange theory in maintaining friendships
As individuals have consistent goals to remain engaged with other, the social
exchange theory helps in stabilising the bonds. It becomes easier to develop a close
friendship with the individuals from different spheres and this it plays a vital role in the
process of communication. The level of understanding and friendship increases as thus the
resources are utilised in an effective way through the social exchange theory (Cropanzano et
al., 2017).
Effect of gender and romantic communication on the theory
The social exchange theory also determines how gender shapes the people in
relationships. Social exchange theory is related to the selection process of an individual’s

4COMMUNICATION THEORY
partner. This is paired with the matching hypothesis and therefore it helps the individuals to
choose his/her partner accordingly.
Role of Social Exchange Theory of communication in business setting
Social Exchange Theory helps in recognition of the hard work of the employees. It
makes the employees realize that they should not remain more engaged with their co-workers
and thus carry out their duty according to the benefits provided by the organization. The
customers can also raise a complaint of there is any such issue with the particular brand
which he/she wants to purchase (Cook et al., 2013).
Personal examples highlight the role of Social Exchange Theory of communication
A personal example of social exchange theory of communication can be cited for my
long lasting friendship. There was constant interaction between me and my friend and this
has brought us closer to each other.
Role of Social Exchange Theory of communication in improving long term relationships
The social exchange theory deepens the level of friendships and it increases the level
of understanding between two individuals. It helps in building trust and commitment between
the two individuals and this plays a vital role in the improvement of long-term relationships.
Conclusion
Therefore, it can be said that social exchange theory involves costs and rewards and
therefore it can be applied to a wide range of social interactions. The relevance of social
theory can be highlighted in the case of sexuality, friendship and thus it helps in the complex
process of social interactions.

5COMMUNICATION THEORY
References
Colquitt, J. A., Scott, B. A., Rodell, J. B., Long, D. M., Zapata, C. P., Conlon, D. E., &
Wesson, M. J. (2013). Justice at the millennium, a decade later: A meta-analytic test
of social exchange and affect-based perspectives. Journal of Applied Psychology,
98(2), 199.
Cook, K. S., Cheshire, C., Rice, E. R., & Nakagawa, S. (2013). Social exchange theory. In
Handbook of social psychology (pp. 61-88). Springer, Dordrecht.
Cropanzano, R., Anthony, E. L., Daniels, S. R., & Hall, A. V. (2017). Social exchange
theory: A critical review with theoretical remedies. Academy of Management Annals,
11(1), 479-516.
Mitchell, M. S., Cropanzano, R. S., & Quisenberry, D. M. (2012). Social exchange theory,
exchange resources, and interpersonal relationships: A modest resolution of
theoretical difficulties. In Handbook of social resource theory (pp. 99-118). Springer,
New York, NY.