Human Relationship TheoriesDien Anshari, S.Sos., M.Si.School of Public HealthUniversity of Indonesia

1.Attraction theory

2.Social penetration theory

3.Social exchange

Attraction Theory

Attraction

theory

People form

relationships on

the basis of four

major factors:

Similarity: people like those who are

similar to them in nationality, race,

abilities, physical characteristics,

intelligence and attitudes (Pornpitakpan,

2003).

Proximity: people attract to others in

physical closeness.

Reinforcement: people attract to others

who give rewards or reinforcements.

Physical attractiveness and

personality: it is easier to like someone

that is physically and personally attractive.

Social Penetration Theory

Social penetration theory

A theory of what happens when relationships do

develop. This theory describes relationships in terms

of the number of topics that people talk about and their

degree of “personalness” (Altman & Taylor, 1973):

The breadth of a relationship: the number

of topics you and your partner talk about.

The depth of a relationship: the degree to

which you penetrate the inner personality

of the other individual.

Social Exchange Theory Social Exchange Theory

• This theory explains social change and

stability as a process of negotiated

exchanges between parties.

• all human relationships are formed by the

use of a subjective cost-benefit analysis

and the comparison of alternatives.

• For example, when a person perceives the

costs of a relationship as outweighing the

perceived benefits, then the theory

predicts that the person will choose to

leave the relationship.

What is Social Exchange theory?

Social Exchange theory explains how we feel

about a relationship with another person as

depending on our perceptions of:

� The balance between what we put into

the relationship and what we get out of

it.

� The kind of relationship we deserve.

� The chances of having a better

relationship with someone else.

What is Social Exchange theory?

Gambaran pertukaran

Thibault & Kelley (1952) mengemukakan

hal-hal yang menyebabkan pertukaran

adalah Rewards (ganjaran), Cost (biaya),

Outcome (hasil), Comparison Level

(pembanding) & CL alternatif.

� Outcome = Rewards – Cost

� Rewards > Cost = Outcome > CL > CLalt

Gambaran kepuasan, stabilitas &

dependensi

1. Outcome > CL > CLalt

2. Outcome > CLalt > CL

3. CLalt > Outcome > CL

4. CLalt > CL > Outcome

5. CL > CLalt > Outcome

6. CL > Outcome > CLalt

Referensi

Richard Nelson-Jones. 2006. Human Relationship Skills.

Routledge.

Joseph DeVito. (2004). Fundamentals of human

communication. McGraw-Hill, Inc.