Peter Blau developed social exchange theory to explain social interactions and relationships. Some key points of the theory are:
- Social interactions involve an exchange of tangible or intangible rewards between individuals, with an expectation of reciprocity.
- Power results from an unequal exchange where one party has a monopoly over a desired resource.
- Individuals evaluate their satisfaction in a relationship based on comparisons to alternative relationships and their expectations.
- The more freely rewards are given in a relationship, the less value they have due to principles of marginal utility and reciprocity.
Blau aimed to link theories of interpersonal interactions with larger social structures using concepts from economics like supply/demand.