Question

Laura and Maisie have been friends for a few months. Laura expects Maisie to be there for her when she has a rough day, and Maisie expects the same from Laura. They also occasionally borrow each other's clothes. Sometimes it seems that Laura is very needy, and Maisie cannot give the time that Laura seems to require from her. Laura and Maisie's boyfriends are also good friends who hang out frequently, so it is difficult for Maisie to avoid Laura when she needs a break from her.
Required:
Why might Maisie not end her friendship with Laura after establishing her comparison level for alternatives?

Answer 1

The correct answer to this open question is the following.

Although there are no options attached, we can say the following.

Maisie does not end her friendship with Laura after establishing her comparison level for alternatives because in the comparison of the outcomes when comparing the alternatives Maisie has, she sees that as her boyfriend is friends with Laura and use to hang out together, it would be very awkward to break the friendship with her knowing that she still has to see Laura when the boys get together.

The interdependence theory invites people to make decisions about staying or not, in a relationship, based on the "cost-benefit" of maintaining that relationship, taking into consideration the consequences.