SOCIAL NETWORKS AND EXCHANGE NORMS ACROSS THE ADULT LIFE-SPAN

Developmentally grounded research on norms for social exchange in adul t relationships is equivocal, and rife with theoretical and methodolog ical inconsistencies. We examined the applicability of three theoretic al perspectives to specific relationships differing in self-perceived closeness in three group s of adults. Participants were first year (n = 37, M-Age, = 19.1 years) and fourth year (n = 42, M-Age = 22.1 years ) undergraduates, and retired teachers (n, = 42, M-Age, = 66.8 years). We find considerable similarity among the three age groups on exchang e norms and reciprocity expectations, despite considerable differences in sources of supportive relationships. Results indicate greatest sup port for exchange based upon need over either equity or social exchang e perspectives, with this being especially true for very close relatio nships. Older adults report relationships operating to a greater exten t on expectations for long-term over short-term reciprocity than young adults. Findings highlight the importance of considering, intra-indiv idual variation in exchange norms and expectations for reciprocity.