Which of the following best defines costs in Social Exchange Theory?

• A. Positive benefits from contact with others
• B. Negative experiences from contact with others
• C. Not being with other people (alternatives)
• D. Financial costs

Answer: (B)

Costs in Social Exchange Theory are the negative aspects or investments involved in maintaining a relationship. These include the time, effort, emotional energy, stress, and sacrifices you put into staying connected with someone. The idea is that people evaluate how worthwhile a relationship is by weighing what they get (rewards) against what they must give up or endure (costs). While money can be a cost, the concept is broader and covers any downsides of contact or staying together. The option describing negative experiences from contact with others best captures this broad sense of costs. Positive benefits from contact are rewards, not costs, and not being with other people describes alternatives that influence choices but aren’t costs themselves. Financial costs are a specific type of cost, but the term in SET encompasses much more than just money.