3.4: Theories of romantic relationships - Equity theory Flashcards
Do we really think about our closest relationships in terms of the rewards and costs they bring us?
Would we leave our current partner if we felt that we could get a better deal elsewhere?
There are lots of couples in which one partner seems to contribute a lot more to the relationship than the other, but both appear to be happy and satisfied.
There’s something something missing from social exchange theory and that is equity - the idea that what?
There’s something something missing from social exchange theory and that is equity - the idea that you can put a lot into a relationship and still be happy, as long as there is a perceived sense of fairness
Equity theory
Equity theory is an economic theory of how relationships develop.
As such, it acknowledges the impact of rewards and costs on relationship satisfaction, but criticises social exchange theory for ignoring the central role of equity - the perception partners have that the distribution of rewards and costs in the relationship is fair
Equity theory is another economic theory which developed in response to what?
Equity theory is another economic theory which developed in response to a significant criticism of social exchange theory (SET)
Equity theory is another economic theory which developed in response to a significant criticism of social exchange theory (SET).
Maximising rewards and minimising costs are important, but what?
Maximising rewards and minimising costs are important, but SET fails to take into account the need most people have for equity in a relationship
What does the term ‘equity’ mean?
The term ‘equity’ means fairness
The term ‘equity’ means fairness.
According to Elaine Walster and her colleagues (1978), what?
According to Elaine Walster and her colleagues (1978), what matters most with equity is that both partners’ level of profit (rewards minus costs) is roughly the same
The term ‘equity’ means fairness.
According to Elaine Walster and her colleagues (1978), what matters most with equity is that both partners’ level of profit (rewards minus costs) is roughly the same.
This is not the same as equality where levels of costs and rewards have to be the same, equal, for each partner.
When there is a lack of equity, then what?
When there is a lack of equity, then one partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits from the relationship
The term ‘equity’ means fairness.
According to Elaine Walster and her colleagues (1978), what matters most with equity is that both partners’ level of profit (rewards minus costs) is roughly the same.
This is not the same as equality where levels of costs and rewards have to be the same, equal, for each partner.
When there is a lack of equity, then one partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits from the relationship and what does this lead to?
When there is a lack of equity, then one partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits from the relationship and this leads to dissatisfaction and unhappiness
The term ‘equity’ means fairness.
According to Elaine Walster and her colleagues (1978), what matters most with equity is that both partners’ level of profit (rewards minus costs) is roughly the same.
This is not the same as equality where levels of costs and rewards have to be the same, equal, for each partner.
When there is a lack of equity, then one partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits from the relationship and this leads to dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
Both overbenefit and underbenefit are examples of inequity, although what?
Both overbenefit and underbenefit are examples of inequity, although it is the underbenefitted partner who is likely to feel the greatest dissatisfaction, in the form of anger, hostility, resentment and humiliation
The term ‘equity’ means fairness.
According to Elaine Walster and her colleagues (1978), what matters most with equity is that both partners’ level of profit (rewards minus costs) is roughly the same.
This is not the same as equality where levels of costs and rewards have to be the same, equal, for each partner.
When there is a lack of equity, then one partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits from the relationship and this leads to dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
Both overbenefit and underbenefit are examples of inequity, although it is the underbenefitted partner who is likely to feel the greatest dissatisfaction, in the form of anger, hostility, resentment and humiliation.
The overbenefitted partner
The overbenefitted partner will likely feel guilty, discomfort and shame
The term ‘equity’ means fairness.
According to Elaine Walster and her colleagues (1978), what matters most with equity is that both partners’ level of profit (rewards minus costs) is roughly the same.
This is not the same as equality where levels of costs and rewards have to be the same, equal, for each partner.
When there is a lack of equity, then one partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits from the relationship and this leads to dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
Both overbenefit and underbenefit are examples of inequity, although it is the underbenefitted partner who is likely to feel the greatest dissatisfaction, in the form of anger, hostility, resentment and humiliation.
The overbenefitted partner will likely feel guilty, discomfort and shame.
Thus, what?
Thus, satisfaction is about perceived fairness
According to equity theory, it’s not the size of amount of the rewards and costs that matter, but what?
According to equity theory, it’s not the size of amount of the rewards and costs that matter, but it’s the ratio of the two to each other that matters
According to equity theory, it’s not the size of amount of the rewards and costs that matter, but it’s the ratio of the two to each other that matters, so what?
According to equity theory, it’s not the size of amount of the rewards and costs that matter, but it’s the ratio of the two to each other that matters, so if one partner puts a lot into the relationship, but at the same time gets a lot out of it, then that will seem fair enough
According to equity theory, it’s not the size of amount of the rewards and costs that matter, but it’s the ratio of the two to each other that matters, so if one partner puts a lot into the relationship, but at the same time gets a lot out of it, then that will seem fair enough.
Example
For example, in a relationship in which one partner has a disability that prevents them from carrying out domestic chores or other physical activities, a precisely equal distribution of these tasks would probably not be seen as fair by either partner
According to equity theory, it’s not the size of amount of the rewards and costs that matter, but it’s the ratio of the two to each other that matters, so if one partner puts a lot into the relationship, but at the same time gets a lot out of it, then that will seem fair enough.
For example, in a relationship in which one partner has a disability that prevents them from carrying out domestic chores or other physical activities, a precisely equal distribution of these tasks would probably not be seen as fair by either partner.
What may well the equity in such a relationship come from?
The equity in such a relationship may well come:
1. From the compensations that the disabled partner could offer in other areas
Or,
2. From the satisfactions that the more active partner gains from their behaviour
According to equity theory, it’s not the size of amount of the rewards and costs that matter, but it’s the ratio of the two to each other that matters, so if one partner puts a lot into the relationship, but at the same time gets a lot out of it, then that will seem fair enough.
For example, in a relationship in which one partner has a disability that prevents them from carrying out domestic chores or other physical activities, a precisely equal distribution of these tasks would probably not be seen as fair by either partner.
The equity in such a relationship may well come from the compensations that the disabled partner could offer in other areas or from the satisfactions that the more active partner gains from their behaviour.
What are satisfying relationships marked by?
Satisfying relationships are marked by negotiations to ensure equity
