Social Exchange Theory and Nurse-Patient Relation

The first assumption of the Social Exchange Theory (SET) is an exchange activity involving rewards and costs. The second assumption states that individuals usually seek to maximize benefits, while attempting to lessen the costs. Finally, human beings are self-centered, and will often strive to satisfy their needs first. The core components of this theory include outcome and comparison level of possible worthy alternatives. This implies that individuals tend to establish and continue their social relations based on their expectations that it will be mutually rewarding (Neufeld and Harrison 10-11). Social Exchange Theory and Nurse-Patient Relation