Communal and Exchange Relationships: Controversies and Research

In communal relationships, the rules governing when benefits are given and received are different. Benefits are given in response to the other's needs or simply to please the other. This may create a pattern of giving and receiving benefits that appears to an observer to follow exchange norms. However, communal norms are distinct from exchange norms . From the perspective of participants in a communal relationship, the benefits given and received are not part of an exchange. In a communal relationship, receipt of a benefit does not create a specific debt or obligation to return a comparable benefit. The general obligation each person has to aid the other when the other has the need isnot altered by the receipt of a specific benefit. We believe that friendships, romantic relationships, and family relationships often exemplify communal relationships, whereas relationships between people doing business with one another, acquaintances, and strangers meeting for the first time often exemplify exchange relationships .