Social Exchange Theory was created by George Homans in 1958. Since its publication under the title "Social Behavior as Exchange", several other theorists like Peter Blau, Richard Emerson, John Thibaut and Harold Kelley contributed to the theory. Before diving into the most important concepts of this theory, two main properties need to be discussed. This theory concerns social exchanges, which are essentially reactions and decisions in relationships. The two properties are self-interest and interdependence. These are the two fundamental interactions between two individuals who each have something of value for the other. When an individual looks out for their own self-interest, they look out for their own economic and psychological needs, which can lead to phenomena such as greed and competition. However, self-interest is not seen as a negative thing; in fact, it can lead both parties to realize their own interests. Interdependence, on the other hand, is more difficult to study, but it is the combination of both using their efforts to achieve something. Interdependence has broader social implications. Homans, as the founder of the theory, stated that the theory consists of a social exchange with rewards and costs between at least two people. Rewards are defined as items that have positive value and are sought after by individuals. Costs are defined as items that have negative value and are avoided by individuals. The rewards in relationships are things like support, friendship, and acceptance, while the costs are things like energy spent, time, and money. Essentially, this theory states that each individual tries to maximize their gains or value and ends up with something more positive than negative. Worth it...... middle of paper ......omans, GC (1958). Social behavior as exchange. American Journal of Sociology, 63(6), 597-606. Lawler, EJ and Thye, SR (1999). Bringing emotions into social exchange theory. Annual Review of Sociology, 25, 217-244. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/199579635?accountid=27975McDonell, J., Burton, K., & Yaffe, J. (2006). Behaviorism, social learning and exchange theory. Pearson, Contemporary Theory of Human Behavior: A Critical Perspective for Social Work, 349-385. Shu-Tzu, C. (2010). Rural tourism: perspectives from the theory of social exchange. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 38(10), 1313-1322. doi:10.2224/sbp.2010.38.10.1313Wei-Li, W. (2013). To share knowledge or not: dependence on the satisfaction of knowledge sharing. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 41(1), 47-58. doi:10.2224/sbp.2013.41.1.47