Equity Theory

Question 1

Main guy?

Answer 1

Homans 1974

Question 2

What does equity mean?

Answer 2

Does not mean equality but instead it means a constant ratio of rewards to costs or profit to investment.
Couples are concerned with fairness and changes to the ratio of what you put in and get out are what is likely to produce dissatisfaction

Question 3

When does dissatisfaction occur?

Answer 3

When someone starts giving much more and receiving proportionally less this will produce dissatisfaction.

Question 4

Differences to SET?

Answer 4

Instead of trying to maximise profit and minimise costs, equity theory is more concerned about inequity

Question 5

Walter et al (1978) and his four principles?

Answer 5

People try to maximise their rewards and minimise negative experiences.
Distribution of rewards is negotiated to ensure fairness which might be accomplished through trade offs o compensations.
Unfair relationships produce dissatisfaction.
If the loser feels there is a chance at redemption they are motivated to save the relationship.

Question 6

Rusbult (1983)

Answer 6

When deciding whether to end a relp people take into consideration rewards and costs of the relp, possible alternatives and amount of investment.
Asked hetero college students to complete questionnaires over seven months and to keep notes on relp satisfaction compared with alternatives and amount of investment.
Satisfaction, comparison and investment all contributed to commitment and to breakup. An attractive alternate features largely in deciding to end a relp.
Supports equity and SET.

Question 7

Rusbult & Martz (1995)

Answer 7

Applied findings to abusive relationships. Found women stayed in relp when the alternatives were poor and investment as great.

Question 8

Hill et al (1976)

Answer 8

231 steadily dating couples and 45% had broken up after 2 years.
80% who described themselves as in love were still together, compared with 56% who didn’t.
Only 23% of couples broke up who claimed they felt equally involved but if one was more invested it rose to 54%.
Supports equity theory.

Question 9

Schafer & Keith (1980)

Answer 9

Women are more likely to perceive inequity suring the child rearing years but less so in honeymoon and empty nest period. The inequity produces distress and depression.

Question 10

Happy couples?

Answer 10

Argued happy couples make a point not to keep score as tit-for-tat exchanges diminishes liking.
Mix matched couples who are lacking in one area usually make up for it somewhere else.