Social Exchange Theory as a Conceptual Framework for Teaching the Sociological Perspective

We present social exchange theory as a conceptual frameworkfor developing the sociological imagination. Our central thesis is that this framework provides a corrective for two trends in teaching social psychology: an overemphasis on social forces as the determinants of behavior and a hesitancy to bring values into the classroom. Exchange theory emphasizes not simply the constraining effects of social structure, but also how individual action collectively creates, reproduces, and changes social structure. In addition, the central concepts of social exchange theory provide a legitimate vehicle for introducing values into the classroom. Students learn to assess critically their own personal values as well as those of various social and political groups. We illustrate this framework by applying it to a number of social psychological and sociological topics, including personal relationships, power and institutions, and social dilemmas.