equity theory Flashcards
what is equity theory?
the equity theory is an economic theory of how relationships develop. As such, it acknowledges the impacts of rewards and costs on relationship satisfaction, but criticises sociual exchange for ignoring the central role of equity
why was equity theory developed?
it was developed because of and out of criticism of SET.
What does SET fail to to take into account?
It fails to take into account that most people have a need for balance rather than profit in a relationship.
what odes equity mean?
fairness
what did Walster et al (1978) say about what matters most with equity?
Thye said that what matters most is that both partners’ levels of profit is roughly the same.
What happens when there is a lack of equity?
when there’s a lack of equity, one partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits.
what does a lack of equity cause emotionally?
a lack of equity leads to unhappiness and dissatisfaction.
who feels the most dissatisfaction?
the underbenefitted
what does the underbenefit usually feel?
they feel dissatisfaction in the form of anger, hostility, resentment and humiliation.
what does the overbenefitted feel?
the overbenefitted usually feels guilt, shame and discomfort.
satisfaction is about what?
perceived fairness
what is the difference between equality and equity?
equality is about the size and amount of rewards, whereas equity is about the ratio of the 2 to each other.
What are satisfying relationships marked by … ?
They are marked by negotiations to ensure equity
how are rewards distributed in a relationship?
they are distributed fairly (not necessarily equally) between partners
the greater the perceived inequity, the …
the greater the perceived inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction
