ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the perspective of exchange theory and describes four ways it connects to the experience and expression of emotions in everyday life. A boxed insert (“Spotlight on Research”) focuses in-depth on a study of exchanging sympathy. The chapter also considers whether people can behave altruistically, and what happens when people have different interpretations of exchanged “gifts.” The final section offers suggestions for additional reading as well as exercises that can be used as written assignments or as prompts for in-class discussions.
