| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The International Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Communication |
| Editors | Charles R Berger, Michael E Roloff |
| Publisher | Wiley-Blackwell Publishing |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781118306055 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2016 |
Abstract
Human survival is based on the ability to acquire resources and exchange is one way to do so. Social exchange theories provide insight into antecedents, processes, and outcomes of exchange. Communication is a tool by which individuals can negotiate an exchange as well as provide resources. Appropriately, communication scholars have used social exchange theories to guide their research. The entry will examine the key constructs associated with the social exchange theories, explicate the assumptions of the core social exchange theories and those social exchange frameworks used to study interpersonal relationships, organizational processes, and social networks. The entry ends with an assessment of their usefulness for studying interaction.