Final answer:
Social exchange theory posits that humans aim to maximize benefits and minimize costs in relationships to increase satisfaction and commitment. It focuses on the calculation that individuals perform to determine whether a relationship is beneficial enough to maintain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to social exchange theory, which suggests that in relationships, humans are driven by the desire to maximize benefits while minimizing costs. According to this theory, individuals weigh the potential benefits they may gain against the costs or risks they might incur as part of maintaining a relationship. Therefore, the most favorable relationships are those where the perceived benefits outweigh the perceived costs, leading to a higher level of satisfaction and commitment in the relationship.