Practice Quizzes

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Social Exchange Theory (SET)
Q1
Which of the following best describes "mutuality of dependence" in social exchange theory?
A
Each party has the same resources to offer
B
Both parties are equally dependent on each other for achieving their goals
C
One party depends on the other, but not vice versa
D
Both parties experience identical outcomes
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – It’s about dependence, not just resource equality
B: Correct – Mutual dependence means both parties need each other equally
C: Incorrect – That would indicate low mutuality
D: Incorrect – That describes correspondence of outcomes, not mutuality
Q2
What concept reflects the extent to which one individual controls another's outcomes in an interaction?
A
Basis for dependence
B
Rationality
C
Degree of dependence
D
Competition
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – That focuses on who shares control, not how much
B: Incorrect – That’s a rule of exchange, not an attribute of dependence
C: Correct – Degree of dependence captures control over others’ outcomes
D: Incorrect – Competition refers to maximizing relative advantage
Q3
Which rule of exchange supports voluntary, costly behavior for another’s benefit?
A
Rationality
B
Altruism
C
Group Gain
D
Reciprocity
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – Rationality focuses on self-benefit
B: Correct – Altruism involves helping others despite personal cost
C: Incorrect – Group gain is about communal benefit, not individual sacrifice
D: Incorrect – Reciprocity implies exchange, not pure giving
Q4
In social exchange theory, "status consistency" means:
A
Benefits must be distributed based on effort
B
Prestige or formal rank influences deference
C
Relationships are strictly equal
D
Power should always be shared equally
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – That describes equity, not status consistency
B: Correct – Status consistency refers to honoring rank or prestige
C: Incorrect – It doesn’t assume equality
D: Incorrect – Status consistency may legitimize power differences
Q5
Which attribute of interdependence predicts whether a situation will lead to cooperation or conflict?
A
Degree of dependence
B
Mutuality of dependence
C
Basis for dependence
D
Correspondence of outcomes
Correct Answer: D
A: Incorrect – That’s about control, not alignment of goals
B: Incorrect – Important, but not directly predictive of cooperation/conflict
C: Incorrect – Focuses on who holds power, not shared goals
D: Correct – High correspondence means shared interests, likely cooperation
Q6
According to Blau, the key distinction between economic and social exchanges lies in:
A
Whether money is exchanged
B
The formalness of contracts
C
The specification of repayment terms
D
The level of emotional investment
Correct Answer: C
A: Incorrect – Money is more relevant to economic behavior, not the core distinction
B: Incorrect – Formalness is a side effect, not the core difference
C: Correct – Social exchanges lack specified repayment terms
D: Incorrect – Emotional investment is not the defining feature
Q7
In the three trust stages of relationship-formation models, which type of trust is based on prediction through familiarity?
A
Calculus-based trust
B
Knowledge-based trust
C
Identification-based trust
D
Instrumental trust
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – That’s based on cost-benefit analysis
B: Correct – Knowledge-based trust comes from predictability over time
C: Incorrect – That’s the highest form and involves shared identity
D: Incorrect – Not one of the named stages
Q8
The rule of "group gain" in social exchange theory refers to:
A
Maximizing your personal benefit
B
Benefiting a group that shares common interests
C
Upholding formal organizational rules
D
Avoiding harm to others
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – That’s rationality
B: Correct – Group gain focuses on benefiting the collective
C: Incorrect – That relates more to institutional logic
D: Incorrect – That’s closer to altruism
Q9
What is the main criticism of using bipolar constructs in social exchange theory?
A
They fail to capture economic behavior
B
They treat negative constructs as the opposite of positive ones
C
They ignore power differentials
D
They emphasize emotion over cognition
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – Economic behavior is not the focus of this critique
B: Correct – Bipolarity oversimplifies by assuming a single dimension
C: Incorrect – Power is addressed in interdependence, not this critique
D: Incorrect – Emotion vs. cognition is not the issue here
Q10
The concept of “activity dimension” was introduced to help:
A
Clarify ambiguous language in social exchange theory
B
Distinguish passive behaviors from active ones in exchanges
C
Define legal boundaries for employment
D
Introduce a new theory to replace social exchange theory
Correct Answer: B
A: Incorrect – It’s about behavior, not language clarity
B: Correct – Activity dimension adds whether someone *does* or *withholds* something
C: Incorrect – It’s a theoretical, not legal, construct
D: Incorrect – It’s a refinement, not a replacement

Application Questions

Application Q1
Social exchange theory emphasizes how trust develops over time through three stages.
  • Which type of trust (calculus-based, knowledge-based, or identification-based) do you expect to be most relevant in your dissertation research context, and why?
  • What data would you need to observe or measure this type of trust?
Application Q2
The four attributes of outcome interdependence (degree of dependence, mutuality of dependence, correspondence of outcomes, basis for dependence) can shape organizational dynamics.
  • Choose two of these attributes and describe how they might operate in a school, university, or nonprofit setting relevant to your dissertation research.
Application Q3
Social exchange theory suggests that people calculate benefits and costs in social relationships.
  • How might this logic apply to participants in your study (e.g., teachers, principals, students)?
  • How can your research design capture these calculations?
Application Q4
One criticism of social exchange theory is its overemphasis on self-interest.
  • Does your dissertation research setting reflect relationships shaped more by self-interest or altruism?
  • How could you use data (e.g., interview or survey) to explore this?
Application Q5
Status consistency implies that individuals defer to those with higher status.
  • In your organizational context, who typically receives deference?
  • Is this deference based on formal rank, informal reputation, or something else?
Application Q6
Economic and social exchanges differ in terms of specificity and time horizon.
  • Identify an example from your dissertation research setting where this distinction might be blurred.
  • What are the implications for how people behave?
Application Q7
Organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs) are shaped by social exchange relationships.
  • How might you measure or observe OCBs in your dissertation research?
  • What would indicate that an OCB is motivated by trust rather than obligation?
Application Q8
Reciprocity is a core rule in social exchange theory.
  • How does reciprocity manifest in your fieldwork setting?
  • Can you identify situations where reciprocity has broken down?
Application Q9
Trust is central to long-term social exchange.
  • How might you assess whether trust has developed in your dissertation research context?
  • Which of the three stages of trust do you think participants have reached?
Application Q10
Blau argued that unspecified obligations characterize social exchanges.
  • How might such ambiguous obligations create conflict or misunderstanding in your study site?
Application Q11
Relational-attribute models treat things like know-how or emotional labor as exchangeable resources.
  • What kinds of intangible resources are being exchanged in your dissertation research context?
  • How might you detect or measure their value?
Application Q12
Social exchange theory assumes a balance over time in giving and receiving.
  • Do you expect any participants in your dissertation research to feel exploited or overburdened?
  • How might this imbalance be expressed behaviorally?
Application Q13
Group gain focuses on benefits to collectives, not just individuals.
  • Is there a collective identity (e.g., “the faculty,” “the leadership team”) in your context?
  • How might this identity influence exchange behavior?
Application Q14
Competition is one of the rules of exchange.
  • Do actors in your dissertation research seek to outperform or out-benefit each other?
  • How might that shape interpersonal or organizational relationships?
Application Q15
Activity dimension (whether someone acts or withholds action) can refine behavioral predictions.
  • Identify one situation in your dissertation research where inaction may have social meaning.
  • How could you code or interpret such inaction?
Application Q16
Social exchange theory suggests that withholding benefits can be a form of retaliation.
  • Do you anticipate this dynamic in your dissertation setting?
  • How could you gather evidence of such retaliatory withholding?
Application Q17
Relational-context models suggest that past behavior shapes future exchanges.
  • Can you identify a “bank of goodwill” or “credit” system in your dissertation research context?
  • How might it affect people’s responses to decisions or change?
Application Q18
In your study, how might formal structures (e.g., job descriptions, pay) interact with informal social exchanges (e.g., mentoring, favors)?
  • Can these two types of exchanges reinforce or contradict each other?
Application Q19
Scholars have criticized social exchange theory for ambiguous behavioral predictions.
  • What specific predictions would you derive from the theory for your setting?
  • How would you test or falsify them?
Application Q20
How does incorporating social exchange theory help you clarify or challenge assumptions about leadership, power, or influence in your dissertation research?
  • What new questions does it raise for your design?