Lesson 6: Equity Theory

Question 1

What is equity theory?

Answer 1

• An economic model of relationships based on the idea of fairness for each partner. It emphasises the need for each partner to experience a balance between costs/efforts and their benefits/rewards.

Question 2

What happens if the relationship becomes unfair? (ET)

Answer 2

• Distress will be felt. If people over-benefit in their relationship and receive more rewards than their partner, they might feel guilt or pity. If people under-benefit in their relationship and receive less rewards than their partner, they might feel angry or sad.
• An imbalance of rewards can be tolerated as long as both parties accept the situation; then the relationship will continue. An example could be that someone has lost their job, and their partner will tolerate and understand this.

Question 3

What does ‘equity’ mean?

Answer 3

• Equity means ‘fairness’ and each person in the relationship must feel that the relationship is fair, an equitable relationship has a fair ratio of rewards and costs for each individual.

Question 4

Strength of ET (DeMaris, 2007)

Answer 4

— DeMaris studied 1500 couples as part of the US National survey of Families and Households. He found that if women were under-benefitting to a high degree, then there was a high risk of divorce occurring. Therefore equity and inequity seem to be very important for women in a relationship.

Question 5

Strength of ET (Brosnan, 2003)

Answer 5

• Brosnan found that female monkeys became angry if they were denied a prize for playing a game with a researcher, especially if they saw another monkey who had not played the game receive grapes instead. The monkeys got so angry that they hurled food at the experimenter. Proves the idea of equity is rooted in our ancient origins.

Question 6

Weakness of ET (individualistic cultures)

Answer 6

• Equity theory is more applicable to individualistic cultures rather than collectivist cultures. In individualistic cultures, people might be more concerned with equal rewards and costs in order for a relationship to be successful. However, in collectivist cultures, extended family networks and family values might be more important when maintaining a relationship, rather than focusing on rewards and costs and the idea of equity. Relationships in collectivist cultures might be successful due to cultural expectations and obligations of roles rather than equity of rewards and costs.

Question 7

Weakness of ET (Buunk, 1996)

Answer 7

• Buunk found no association between equity in a relationship and the future quality and maintenance of relationship. Therefore just because a relationship is equal and fair in terms of rewards and costs; it does not mean that the relationship will progress. People have free will to choose whether to continue with a relationship or not; and just because a relationship is equitable it does not mean the relationship will necessarily continue and last.

Question 8

Weakness of ET (Mills and Clark, 1982)

Answer 8

• Research criticised equity theory. They said that it is not possible to assess equity in loving relationships, as many of the rewards and costs are emotional/psychological and cannot be easily quantified or measured. If we measure rewards and costs then it could diminish the quality of love in the relationship which could be damaging.