equity theory

Question 1

equity theory

Answer 1

walster (1978) proposed that as well as weighing up the rewards and costs of a relationship, people also have an expectation of fairness (equity) within a relationship in terms of both partners’ level of ‘profit’. high levels of equity correlate with satisfaction.

Question 2

equity vs equality

Answer 2

it is not the size or amount of rewards and costs that matter, or that these are equal for each partner; it’s the ratio of the two to each other and that they are distributed fairly.

e.g. usually household chores would be split equally between partners to ensure equity. however if one is pregnant than this would be unfair. negotiations would be made to ensure equity- non-pregnant partner takes on more household chores as pregnant partner unable to.

Question 3

inequity

Answer 3

if one partner overbenefits and one partner underbenfits, a relationship becomes ‘inequitable’
underbenefitted- greatest dissatisfaction. anger, hostility, resentment and humiliation.
overbeneffited- guilt, discomfort and shame.
satisfaction is about perceived fairness.

Question 4

consequences of inequity

Answer 4

equity theory predicts a strong correlation between greater percieved inequity and greater dissatisfaction.
what makes people most dissatisfied is a change in the level of perceived equity as time goes on e.g. start of relationship may feel natural to contribute more than you recieve. but if you continue to put more in and get less out, this becomes unsatisfying.

Question 5

dealing with inequity

Answer 5

depending on the investment made in the relationship, the couple may be motivated to restore equity rather than end relationship.

1. may work hard to make relationship more equitable as long as they believe it is possible to do so.
2. or may revise perceptions of rewards and costs so relationship feels more equitable to them, even if nothing actually changes. what once was seen as a cost e.g. untidiness or actual abuse now accepted as the norm.

Question 6

strength

research support

Answer 6

utne (1984)- survey 118 newlyweds 16-45 together for more than two years before marrying. measured equity with 2 self-report scales.
couples who considered relationship equitable more satisfied than those who believed overbenefitting/underbenefitting.

confirms that equity linked to satisfaction. supports theory’s central prediction.

Question 7

issue

cultural limitations

Answer 7

aumer-ryan (2007) cultural differences in link between equity and satisfaction. individualist (us) couples most satisfied when equitable. collectivist (jamaica) couples most satisfied when overbenefitting. men and women, so not gender diffs.

theory limited. only applicable to some cultures.

Question 8

individual differences

Answer 8

huseman (1987)- some less concerned with equity than norm
benevolents- prepared to underbenefit
entitleds- believe deserve to overbenefit. accept without distress/guilt.

desire for equity varies between individuals. not universal feature.

Question 9

issue

cause or effect

Answer 9

some research e.g. utne shows lack of equity causes dissatisfaction.
grote and clark (2001)- satisfied partners don’t monitor contributions. dissatisfaction causes partners to notice inequities and become more dissatisfied (‘cycle of misery’)

equity theory partial explanation of process. inequity can be both cause and effect of dissatisfaction.