Sociological Media Analysis - Coursework Example

Roles are reversed to personify dogs, as though we care, and how mothers must feel to have to clean up after their babies. The cost is picking up the poo, the reward is taking the baby for a walk. We as an audience do not have to understand why they are matched. The whole series are based on such anomalies. This paper will develop the Four Stage Model and Equity Theory and show how they apply to this series. The Social Exchange Theorist use both the Four stage Model and the Equity Theory as they both depend on the relational dyad of two people, or in this case two beings which create interpersonal resources: rewards, costs, and reciprocity.

The resources can be symbolic and, or material. (Thibaut & Kelley 1959). The Equity Theory of Walsfer, Walsfer and Berscheid (1978) went one step deeper to explain one on one relationships.. Rewards, Cost and an addition variable of comparison and an element of fairness. Family Guy has all the element but the joy is that the concept of normal role models does not exists. Social Exchange between two people implies that Rewards and Costs are an integral part of the relationship. Rewards are defined as an interchange of resources between the couple which bring gratification and pleasure.

Costs are defined as a missed opportunity, or exchanged resources that result in a loss or punishment (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959). Maybe the popularity of this program is that the Rewards and Costs are changed as are other consequences and it doesn't matter. Outcomes equal rewards minus costs. Reciprocity is the interchange between partners. The terms Rewards, Costs and Outcomes are used in all general social exchange theories and models. Reciprocity in Family Guy shows the constant role reversal but the fact that there are true relationships.

It does not matter how the dyad is created. In several shows, Peter fights with the chicken for having received an expired coupon, then he goes out to dinner with him and in the same show he starts fighting again. The 4 stage Model (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959) used rewards, costs, comparison level, and comparison level for alternatives. Thibaut and Kelley made the assumption that relationships would last based on rewards and costs if the importance of previous life experiences were brought into the relationship.

On this basis, we have an easier time understanding Family Guy. Peter first feels sexually harassed by his boss. He is afraid of losing his job. These are common social fears that we all have as an audience. The popularity of the program is that it deals with day to day issues, in which touch us all. The humor comes from the constant surprises of the different role models. Peter uses previous life issues to bring into recent relationships. The concept of Comparison Level (CL) explains the level of contributions that previous experiences and expectations make to determine how satisfied an individual is with his or her interpersonal relationship.

Individuals come to their relationships with an awareness of societal norms for relationships and a backlog of their own experiences. The societal norms for Family Guy are normal. The CL is influenced by this information and, thus, reflects (a) what individuals feel is deserved and realistically obtainable within relationships, and (b) what individuals feel is important for them to experience within a relationship. According to exchange theorists, satisfaction with a relationship alone does not