Integrating Theory, Enhancing Understanding: The Potential Contributions of Recent Experimental Research in Social Exchange for Studying Intimate Relationships

The natural rapport between an exchange approach and the domain of family produced a rich literature over time. This article focuses on recent developments in social exchange that are occurring in sociology and explores what these—largely experimental—research programs have to offer those studying family. To facilitate the use of these developments, in this article, I give a brief introduction to the exchange orientation and describe how it has been used previously in work on the family. I then explain the contemporary work in sociological social exchange, which explores the affective and cognitive outcomes of exchange (e.g., trust, solidarity, commitment), in detail and highlight its insight for those studying romantic partnerships.