
1. Whenever people interact with each other
in an effort to earn a reward or return for their
actions, an exchange has been made.

2. Reciprocity is the idea that you do
something for someone, and that person
owes you something in return.
 A. This concept is the basis of exchange

3. The volume of exchange has led to exchange
theory.
 A. People are motivated by self interest in their
interactions with other people.
 B. This means that people do things primarily for
rewards.
 C. When the cost outweighs the rewards, people tend
to end the interaction.
 D. Life is an attempt to maximize rewards and
minimize cost.

1. Competition occurs when two or more people
or groups oppose each other to achieve a goal
that only one can attain.

2. Competition can be a positive way to motivate
people to perform the roles that society asks of
them.

3. Competition can lead to psychological stress,
a lack of cooperation in social relationships, and
even conflict.

1. Conflict is the deliberate attempt to
control a person by force, to oppose
someone, or to harm another person.

2. Conflict has few rules of conduct

3. Georg Simmel identified four sources of
conflict
 Wars
 Disagreements between groups
 Legal disputes
 Clashes over ideology
4. Conflict is known for its negativity
5. Some sociologists have pointed out that
conflict serves as a way to reinforce
boundaries, and strengthen group unity and
loyalty when facing an outside threat.
6. Conflict can also bring about social change.

1. Cooperation occurs when two or more
groups work together to achieve a goal that
will benefit more than one person.

2. Cooperation is a social process that gets
things done.

A. Compromise- occurs when two parties both give up
something to come to a mutual agreement.

B. Truce- a situation where conflict is halted until a
compromise can be met.

C. Mediation- A third form of accommodation that
calls in a third party who acts as an advioser to help
the two parties come to an agreement.

D. Arbitration- A third party makes a decision that is
binding on both parties.