Predicted outcome value
Definition: we form relationships when we think the effort will be worth it
A good example of this theory can be examined in season 4, with Fiona and Mike’s relationship. When Fiona gets a job at a cup sales company, she gets special attention from her boss, Mike. He asks her on some dates, and after contemplating the benefits/costs, she decides to say yes. She wants to turn her life around and forget about Jimmy, so she predicts that a relationship with Mike will do the trick. She ruins the relationship after a short time by sleeping with his brother.
Predicted outcome value is when two people first communicate they try to determine whether to continue communication will be worth their efforts (Floyd, 2017). This usually is determined in the first conversation based on what we learned.