COMMUNAL AND EXCHANGE RELATIONSHIPS - WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE

Clark and Mills claim that communal and exchange relationships differ in the rules that govern giving and receiving benefits. In exchange re lationships, members benefit each other to incur or repay obligation, quid pro quo. In communal relationships, the basis of benefit is conce rn for the other's welfare. Response by Clark and Mills to three criti cisms suggests, however, that the psychological difference they see be tween communal and exchange relationships is less than might be imagin ed. They say that benefits in communal relationships may be bestowed w ith an eye to gaining self-benefits, including (a) the social and self -rewards for fulfilling one's role obligations and (b) the benefits re ceived from the partner in the form of having one's needs met or estab lishing a rewarding relationship. If this is true, then quid pro quo e xchange principles seem to operate in both communal and exchange relat ionships; the difference is in the breadth and etiquette of benefits e xchanged.