equity theory Flashcards

1
Q

what is the equity theory?

A
  • suggests people are concerned about fairness in a relationship, this occurs when people feel like they get approximately what they deserve from a relationship
  • the winning formula of fairness is when one persons benefits minus their costs matches their partners
  • regardless of if a person is over or under benefitting, if they perceive their relationship as unfair then they’ll be dissatisfied
  • if a person gets more than they put in they may feel guilt and shame
  • if a person puts in more than they get they may feel angry and resentful
  • the perception of equity can change over time
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2
Q

give a strength
1/2

A

stafford and canary (2006) got over 200 married couples to answer questions to measure equity and satisfaction within their relationship, they were also asked about the division of household tasks, levels of positivity and maintenance strategies. they found that couples who believed their relationship was equitable reported higher levels of satisfaction. this supports the main concept of equity theory, that higher levels of equity cause feelings of satisfaction

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3
Q

give a strength
2/2

A

utne et al (1984) used self report techniques to measure equity and satisfaction in recently married couples. the sample included 118 married couples aged between 16 and 45, who had been together for over 2 years before marriage. researchers found that those who rated their relationships as equitable were more satisfied than those over or under benefitting. this research supports the central concept of the equity theory, increasing its validity as an explanation for relationships

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4
Q

give a limitation
1/3

A

doesn’t account for cultural differences. aumer ryan et al (2006) found that in non western (collectivist cultures) couples reported higher levels of satisfaction when they were over benefitting, rather than when the relationship was equitable. highlights that the concept of equity is more important in western cultures, and that there is cultural bias within this research. so the equity theory doesn’t explain relationship development in all cultures, limiting is validity and generalisability to the wider population. the equity theory suffers from ethnocentricism, by assuming that one cultures perspective is universal

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5
Q

give a limitation
2/3

A

berg and mcquinn (1986) conducted a longitudinal study on 38 couples, and found no increase in equity over time but that perceived equity at the start of a relationship indicated a couple would stay together. they concluded that perceived equity was either present or not at the start of a relationship, and this didn’t change over time. contradicts the central idea of the equity theory that equity increases over time after the initiation of a relationship. lowers the validity of the equity theory, suggesting it isn’t a complete explanation of romantic relationships, and more research is required to gain a complete understanding

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6
Q

give a limitation
3/3

A

issue determining cause and effect, some researches suggest dissatisfaction is the cause not the consequence of perceived inequity

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