Which theory explains behavior as an exchange aimed at maximizing rewards and minimizing costs?

Which theory explains behavior as an exchange aimed at maximizing rewards and minimizing costs?

• A. Self-Disclosure
• B. Bystander Effect
• C. Social Exchange Theory
• D. Reciprocity Norm

Answer: (C)

Understanding why people act the way they do in social situations involves looking at how rewards and costs influence choices. Social Exchange Theory explains behavior as an exchange aimed at maximizing rewards and minimizing costs. People weigh what they gain—like social approval, help, resources, or personal satisfaction—and what they must give up—time, effort, risk, vulnerability. When the expected rewards exceed the costs, the action is more likely; when costs seem higher, the action may not occur. This framework helps explain decisions to help, cooperate, or form relationships because each action is guided by a calculation of payoff. Self-disclosure focuses on sharing personal information to build closeness, not on a broad cost-benefit calculation guiding all actions. The bystander effect describes reduced helping in the presence of others due to diffusion of responsibility, not a general payoff-maximizing framework. The reciprocity norm is about returning favors, which is a related idea but describes a rule of social exchange rather than the overall theory of behavior as calculated exchange.

Understanding why people act the way they do in social situations involves looking at how rewards and costs influence choices. Social Exchange Theory explains behavior as an exchange aimed at maximizing rewards and minimizing costs. People weigh what they gain—like social approval, help, resources, or personal satisfaction—and what they must give up—time, effort, risk, vulnerability. When the expected rewards exceed the costs, the action is more likely; when costs seem higher, the action may not occur. This framework helps explain decisions to help, cooperate, or form relationships because each action is guided by a calculation of payoff.

Self-disclosure focuses on sharing personal information to build closeness, not on a broad cost-benefit calculation guiding all actions. The bystander effect describes reduced helping in the presence of others due to diffusion of responsibility, not a general payoff-maximizing framework. The reciprocity norm is about returning favors, which is a related idea but describes a rule of social exchange rather than the overall theory of behavior as calculated exchange.