Social Exchange

Social exchange theory is one of the primary sociological perspectives on social interaction and social networks. It derives from the work of George Homans, Peter Blau, and Richard M. Emerson and is related to theoretical work in psychology (Thibaut and Kelley) and anthropology. Some of the major topics investigated by exchange theorists include structural determinants of power in exchange networks, fairness in exchange outcomes, commitment formation between exchange partners, cohesion, solidarity, and trust. Applications of exchange theory to a wide range of settings have been developed including to social and economic networks as well as to systems of generalized exchange