Social exchange is guided by the norms of reciprocity (the belief that people in a social relationship should receive equitable levels of reward). Social exchange theory makes a simple assumption about human nature: people desire to maximize their benefits and minimize their losses. However, it is easy to quantify benefits and losses in an economic exchange but difficult to do so in a social exchange. Nevertheless, if one individual is only focused on maximizing his profits, others will not engage in a social relationship with him. Hence, if one wishes to receive profits in the longer-term, one needs to insure that the people with whom he has social relationships receive some reward in the interim. Hence, the norms of reciprocity helps to sustain social relationships as both individuals know that rewards given now will be reciprocated in the future.
Social Exchange Theory refers to the behaviors that can be thought of as the result of cost-benefit analyses by people attempting to interact with society and the environment. In this regard we may refer to Blau, 1983. According to social exchange theory, as individuals interact over time, they experience the need to reciprocate the support and assistance of the other person, called the norm of reciprocity. I