Equity Theory

Question 1

What 4 principles did Walster propose?

Answer 1

1) people try to min costs and max rewards in RR
2) rewards negotiated to ensure fairness “trade off of compensations” a favour is repayed with another favour
3) unfair/ inequitable relationships lead to dissat the grater the unfairness the greater the dissat
New relationships likely to break up,long term may have greater motivation to establish equality
4) if the loser feels motivated and they can resirtpevfairness then they can try attempt equal
Greater inequality the greater the effort required to reestablish

Question 2

What did dainton do?

Answer 2

219 indivs
Those in inequitable relationships had lower satt
But more motivated to re establish

Question 3

Researchers into maintenance?

Answer 3

Dainton
Van yperen and buunk
De Maris

Question 4

What did van yperen and buunk do?

Answer 4

259 couples 
Longitudinal study 
86% married the rest cohab
Hatfields measure of satisf 
65% males and females felt equip
1 year in those who though equip reported greatest satisfaction

Question 5

What did de Maris do?

Answer 5

1500 Americans
Assessed equity in relation to breakdown
Found womens sense if under benefiting was most imp factor in predicting a later breakdown

Question 6

Eval

Answer 6

Too simp 
Practical apps
Gender diffs
Relationship may not be fair and continue 
Methodological issues

Question 7

What does equity theory suggest we are interested in?

Answer 7

Less concerned with rewards for ourselves and more concerned with fairness.
Unfairness causes distress
Not about equality it’s about equity