Social exchange theory

Social exchange theory is a way of thinking about relationships between people. It says that people try to get the most out of their relationships with other people. This means that people want to feel like they are getting something out of the relationship - like understanding, help, support, friendship, etc. People decide if the amount of the things they get is worth the amount of things they have to give up in order to get them (like time, effort, money, and so on). If it is worth it, then the relationship continues. If it is not worth it then, people might choose to end the relationship or go look for a better one where they can get more back for what they put in.