L6 - Theories Of Romantic Relationships: Equity Theory

Question 1

What is equity theory?

Answer 1

• an economic theory of how relationships develop
• acknowledges impact of rewards & costs on relationship satisfaction but critisises social exchange theory for ignoring role of equity (fairness)
• equity theory proposes the winning formula of fairness in a relationship is 1 partner’s benefits minus their costs should be equal to another partner’s benefits minus their costs
• equity isn’t equality - it isn’t about number of rewards/costs but a balance e.g. put in a lot & get out a lot

Question 2

What happens if one partner sees the relationships as unfair?

Answer 2

• will be dissatisfied despite if they are over/under benefitting
• a person who over benefits will feel guilt & shame, those who under benefit will be angry & resentful
• longer there is lack of equity more likely a couple is to break up

Question 3

What changes with time?

Answer 3

• perception of equity e.g. normal for people to put in more then the receive at the start of a relationship, if it carries on for too long it will lead to dissatisfaction
• a partner’s way of dealing with inequity changes with time e.g. what seems unfair in the start may become the norm as relationships progress or the partner who gives more may work harder on relationship till balance is restored

Question 4

4 key principles

Answer 4

Walster et al (1978) saw equity based on 4 key principles:
- profit - individuals try to maximise rewards & positive experiences in a relationship while minimising costs, aim to make a profit
- distribution - negotiation is needed to ensure fairness occurs in terms of distributing rewards & costs, compensations may also occur
- dissatisfaction - if the relationship if unfair/inequitable it will produce stress & dissatisfaction especially for the disadvantaged person
- realignment - disadvantaged person will try to restore equity in relationship so it can continue & be successful

Question 5

Research examining equity theory of romantic relationships

Answer 5

• utne et al. (1984)
• Stafford & canary (2006)
• brosnan de waal (2003)

Question 6

Utne et al. (1984)

Answer 6

• used self-report scales to measure equity & satisfaction in recently married couples
• 118 ppt aged between 16 & 45 had been together for 2 yrs or more before marrying
• study found that partners who rated their relationships as more equitable were also more satisfied with them

Question 7

Stafford & Canary (2006)

Answer 7

• study where over 200 married couples completed questionnaires on relationship equity & satisfaction
• ppt were asked questions about the wats they maintained their relationships e.g. dividing chores, communicating positively & showing affection for one another
• found partners who perceived relationship as fair & balanced followed by those who over-benefitted experienced most satisfaction
• those who under benefited experienced least satisfaction
• supports equity theory suggestion that perceived fairness is necessary for happy relationships

Question 8

Brosnan & de waal (2003)

Answer 8

• supporting animal studies as well
• studied capuchin monkeys & found that if the monkeys were given a cucumber & denied their reward of grapes (which they saw other monkeys getting) then they became very angry
• suggests that the importance of equity in relationships has ancient origins

Question 9

Evaluation of equity theory of romantic relationships

Answer 9

strengths
- all research support previously said (can be AO1/AO3)
weaknesses
- contradictory research
- cause & effect
- gender differences
- universal theory
- cultural differences

Question 10

Contradictory evidence

Answer 10

• berg & McQuinn (1986) conducted a longitudinal study of 38 dating couples & didn’t find any increase in equity over time but found high level of self-disclosure & perceived equity in the beginning of the relationship was a strong predictor that a couple would stay together
• low equity at the start was a reliable indicator they would break up
• seems perceived fairness is either present or not from the start of a relationship & doesn’t develop with time - contrary to prediction of equity theory
• findings oppose central claim of theory & contradict idea that equity increases over time, after initiation of a romantic relationship

Question 11

Cause & effect

Answer 11

• may be a cause and effect problem with Equity Theory.
• Some suggest that dissatisfaction may be the cause, not the consequence, of perceived inequity.
• However, Van Yperen and Buunk (1990) studied married couples and found that dissatisfaction in inequitable relationships increased with time, not the other way around. (Effect)
• Furthermore, there are also some important individual differences in perception of equity.
• There are people who are less sensitive to inequity and are prepared to give more in the relationships (benevolents, according to Hussman et al., 1987).
• Other people, entitleds, believe they deserve to over-benefit from relationships and don’t feel too guilty about this

Question 12

Gender differences

Answer 12

• gender differences in perception of relationship fairness that Equity Theory ignores.
• Sprecher (1992) found that women tend to be more disturbed when under-benefitting from relationships, and feel more guilt when over-benefitting,
• DeMaris et al. (1998) suggest that women are more focused on relationships, and so are more sensitive to injustices.
• These results indicate clear gender differences between males and females and highlight the importance of conducting research into males and females separately, to avoid gender bias.
• However, this may then result in an alpha bias and exaggerate differences between males and females that do not actually exist.

Question 13

Universal theory

Answer 13

Equity Theory, proposes a universal theory of romantic relationships that suggests that people are content in their relationship if the benefits equal the costs.
- However, Mills & Clarke (1982) argue that it is not possible to assess equity in terms of loving relationships, as a lot of the input is emotional and unquantifiable.
- it may be better to study romantic relationships using an idiographic approach which focuses on the qualitative experiences of individuals, rather than employing a nomothetic approach to generate universal laws for human relationships.

Question 14

Cultural differences

Answer 14

• There are important cultural differences not accounted for by the Equity theory.
• Aumer-Ryan et al. (2006) show that the concept of equity is more important in Western cultures than non-Western cultures.
• They found that both men and women from non-Western (collectivist) cultures claimed to be most satisfied with their relationships when they were over-benefitting from it, not when the relationships were fair.
• These results highlight a culture bias in this area of research and suggest that Equity Theory does not explain the development of romantic relationships in all cultures.