EQUITY THEORY

Question 1

equity theory ( Walster et al 1978)

Answer 1

equity theory suggests that partners are more concerned about fairness in relationships.

Question 2

unequality in relationships

Answer 2

produces distress and discomfort.

Question 3

research examining equity theory

Answer 3

utne et al (1984) and hatfield et al (1979)

Question 4

utne et al (1984)

Answer 4

Utne et al. (1984) used self-report scales to measure equity and satisfaction in recently married couples. The 118 participants were aged between 16 and 45, and had been together for 2 years or more before marrying. The study found that partners who rated their relationships as more equitable were also more satisfied with them.

Question 5

hatfield et al (1979)

Answer 5

• asked newly weds to assess what they and their partner contributed to the relationship and their level of contentment with the marriage.
• least satisfied were those who were underbenefited.
• people over benefited were also not really satisfied. guilt could be a factor.
• equal relationships were the most satisfactory.

Question 6

evaluation of equity theory

Answer 6

However, there is research that contradicts Equity Theory. For example, Berg and McQuinn (1986), conducted a longitudinal study on 38 dating couples. They didn’t find any increase in equity over time, but discovered that a high level of self-disclosure and perceived equity in the beginning of the relationships was a strong predictor that a couple would stay in their relationship, and low equity in the beginning was a reliable predictor of a break-up. In other words, it seems that perceived fairness is either present or not in relationships from the start, and does not develop with time, contrary to the prediction of Equity Theory.

Question 7

more evaluations on the equity theory

Answer 7

• equity theory ignores gender differences in perception of fairness in relationships.
• aumen ryen et al (2006) found that equity is more prevalent in western cultures. he claimed that both men and women from the non western or the collectivist culture claimed to find the relationship more satisfied when they were over benefitted not when it was fair. so there could be cultural bias in the equity theory.