Equity Theory

Question 1

Equity

Answer 1

• both partners profit in a relationship should be roughly the same, lack of equity means one partner over benefits and the other benefits which leads to dissatisfaction

Question 2

Consequences of inequity

Answer 2

• problems arise when one partner puts in a great deal and gets little out of it
• partner who perceives inequity will become distressed and dissatisfied

Question 3

equity theory

Answer 3

A’s benefits - costs roughly/perceived around the same B’s benefits- costs
> a development of social exchange theory

Question 4

dealing with inequity

Answer 4

• restoration of actual equity; individuals can be restored equity by voluntarily setting things right
• restoration of psychological equity; can distort reality and convince themselves that things are perfectly fair just the way they are
• if they’re unable to restore it they can just leave it

Question 5

overbenefits

Answer 5

if one partner gets more overall profit they will feel personal shame and pity towards the other partner and may feel guilty

Question 5

underbenefits

Answer 5

if one person gets more overall costs they will feel resentful and will become angry towards the other partner

Question 5

change in perspective

Answer 5

overtime what is considered unfair may change, early in relationships attraction could be seen as more important than equity, successful couples are less likely to ‘keep score’ later on

Question 6

AO3 - unte et al

Answer 6

118 recently married couples with 2 self-report scales
agred 16-45 years, who had been together two years prior to marriage
found those who considered their relationship equitable more satisfied than those who saw themselves as over/under-benefiting
confirms equity theory, increasing validty

Question 7

individual differences

Answer 7

some people are less sensitive to equity than others, describe some partners as ‘benevolents’ who are prepared to contribute to the relationship more than they get out, others are ‘entitles’ who believe they desvered to be over-benefited and accept it without feeling guilty or distressed
- equity isn’t necessarily a global feature of all romantic relationships

Question 8

cultural differences

Answer 8

assumes universal feature
- Aumer-Ryan et. al cultural differences between equity and satisfaction
- compared collectivist and individualist
- I = most satified when equitable, whereas collectivist most satisfied when overbenefitting
- true to both men and women
- unwarranted claim