Lesson 7 - The Equity Theory Flashcards
What are the 4 principles of the Equity Theory?
Profit;
Distribution;
Dissatisfaction;
Realignment.
What is Profit (Equity Theory)?
This is essentially where people will try to gain as many rewards and pros from their relationship as possible, while minimizing the costs - a profit.
What is Diistribution (Equity Theory)?
This is essentially the dividing up of tasks in the relationship to ensure fairness. For example, compromises, and dividing up of chores around the house.
What is Dissatisfaction (Equity Theory)?
This is where the relationship is unfair or inequitable, and this causes stress and dissatisfaction for the disadvantaged person.
What is Realignment (Equity Theory)?
This is where the disadvantaged person will try to restore equity in the relationship so it can continue to be successful.
What is the equity equation for an equitable relationship?
Rewards - Costs = X (The value of X should be the same for both partners for the relationship to be equitable).
Evaluation of the Equity Theory - Research Support
DeMaris (2007) supports the idea of equity in relationships. He interviewed 1500 couples and found that the only subjective indicator of inequity was when in a relationship, the women felt that they were under-benefiting from the relationship.
Evaluation of the Equity Theory - Cultural Bias
The Equity Theory is more applicable to western individualistic cultures. This is because
Evaluation of The Equity Theory - Lack of association
Buunk (1996) found that there is no association between equity and the future quality and maintenance of a relationship. Just because a relationship is equal and fair, does not mean that the relationship will progress. People have free will and the equity does not play a large role.
Evaluation of The Equity Theory - Animal Study Support
Brosnan (2003) found that female monkeys became angry if they were denied a prize for playing a game, especially if they saw another monkey receive said prize without playing the game. The monkeys got so mad that they would throw food at the experimenters.
This shows that a desire for equity and fairness is an inherent characteristic.
Evaluation of the Equity Theory - Not quantifiable
Mills and Clark (1982) criticised the equity theory as it is impossible to actually measure. People perceive costs and rewards differently, which ,ales weighing up a relationship difficult.
Research by Hatfield method
He asked newly married couples to indicate on a questionnaire, the extent to which they were receiving more or less rewards than they thought they should have in their marriage.
The sample indicated their contentment, happiness, anger and guilt levels.
Kurdek and Schmitt findings
They found that the greatest relationship satisfaction existed when the person had many rewards from their current relationship compared to their previous relationships.
There were also not many alternatives to compare their partner to.
The same applies to heterosexual and homosexual relationships.
Evaluation of the research by Hatfield - Lying on questionnaires
The research done by Hatfield can be criticised because it is measuring equity (rewards and costs) via the method of a questionnaire. This means that participants might lie about the number of rewards and costs they receive in the marriage. This might affect the validity of the study.
Evaluation of the research by Hatfield - Newly married couples
Hatfield can be criticised as he only examined newly married couples. If he used a range of couples in different stages of their relationships, then he would have got a significantly wider view.
