Human Relationships

TheoriesDien Anshari, S.Sos., M.Si.School of Public HealthUniversity of Indonesia

1.Attraction theory

2.Social penetration theory

3.Social exchange

Attraction Theory

Attraction theory

People form relationships on the basis of four major factors: 1. Similarity2. Proximity3. Reinforcement4. Physical attractiveness and

personality.

Attraction theory

Similarity: People like those who are similar to them in nationality, race, abilities, physical characteristics, intelligence and attitudes (Pornpitakpan, 2003).

Proximity: People attract to others in physical closeness.

Attraction theory

Reinforcement: People attract to others who give rewards or reinforcements.

Physical attractiveness and personality: It is easier to like someone that is physically and personally attractive.

Social Penetration Theory

Social penetration theory

A theory of what happens when relationships do develop.

This theory describes relationships in terms of the number of topics that

people talk about (the breadth dimension) and their degree of

“personalness” (the depth dimension).

|Altman & Taylor, 1973|

Social penetration theory

The breadth of a relationship: the number of topics you and your partner talk about.

The depth of a relationship: the degree to which you penetrate the inner personality of the other individual.

Social Exchange Theory

• This theory explains social change and stability as a process of negotiated exchanges between parties.

• all human relationships are formed by the use of a subjective cost-benefit analysis and the comparison of alternatives.

• For example, when a person perceives the costs of a relationship as outweighing the perceived benefits, then the theory predicts that the person will choose to leave the relationship.

What is Social Exchange theory?

Social Exchange theory explains how we feel about a relationship with another person as depending on our perceptions of:

The balance between what we put into the relationship and what we get out of it.

The kind of relationship we deserve.

The chances of having a better relationship with someone else.

What is Social Exchange theory?

Gambaran pertukaran

Thibault & Kelley (1952) mengemukakan hal-hal yang menyebabkan pertukaran adalah Rewards (penghargaan), Cost (biaya), Outcome (hasil), Comparison Level (pembanding) & Comparison Level Alternative (alternatif pembanding)

Gambaran pertukaran

Menurut teori ini, outcome dari hubungan yang sedang dijalani selalu diuji dengan dua pembanding:

1. Comparison Level (CL) atau hubungan di masa lalu.

2. Comparison Level Alternative (Clalt) atau alternatif hubungan yang ada.

Gambaran kepuasan, stabilitas & dependensi

1.Outcome > CL > CLalt

2.Outcome > CLalt > CL

3.CLalt > Outcome > CL

4.CLalt > CL > Outcome

5.CL > CLalt > Outcome

6.CL > Outcome > CLalt

?

Referensi

Richard Nelson-Jones. 2006. Human Relationship Skills. Routledge.

Joseph DeVito. (2004). Fundamentals of human communication. McGraw-Hill, Inc.