Psychology - Relationships - Theories of romantic relationships: Equity theory

Question 1

What type of theory is equity theory?

Answer 1

an economic theory

Question 2

What does equity theory look at?

Answer 2

How fair a relationship is. Is each person putting in as much as they are getting out. If a balance isn’t achieved it can lead to dissatisfaction

Question 3

What does equity theory acknowledge?

Answer 3

The impacts of rewards and costs on relationship satisfaction, but criticises social exchange theory for ignoring the central role of equity.

Question 4

What does equity theory propose?

Answer 4

The winning formula of fairness in relationships

Question 5

What is the winning formula of fairness in relationships?

Answer 5

One partners benefits minus their costs, should equal another partners benefits minus their costs.

Question 6

According to equity theory who will feel guilt and shame in a relationship?

Answer 6

A person who gets more benefits out of relationships than they put in

Question 7

According to equity theory who will feel angry and resentful in a relationship?

Answer 7

Those who think they put a lot in but get very little back

Question 8

What does Walster et al (1978) see equity as based on?

Answer 8

four principles

Question 9

What are the four principles that Walster et al (1978) saw equity as being based on?

Answer 9

Profit, Distribution, Dissatisfaction and Realignment

Question 10

What is the first principle that Walster et al (1978) saw equity as being based on?

Answer 10

Profit

Question 11

Profit as a principle of equity

Answer 11

Individuals try to maximise rewards and positive experiences in a relationship whilst also trying to minimise the costs. Aim is to make a profit.

Question 12

Distribution as principle of equity

Answer 12

Negotiations is needed in a relationship to ensure that fairness occurs in terms of the rewards and costs distributed, compensation might occur.

Question 13

Dissatisfaction as a principal of equity

Answer 13

Is the relationship is unfair or inequitable, it produces stress and dissatisfaction especially for the disadvantages

Question 14

Realignment as a principle of equity

Answer 14

The disadvantaged person will try to restore equity in the relationship so it can continue

Question 15

What are the research examining equity theory of romantic relationships?

Answer 15

Utne et al (1984), Stafford and Canary (2006), Brosnan and de Waal (2003)

Question 16

Utne et al (1984) research on equity theory

Answer 16

Used self report scales to measure equity and satisfaction in recently married couples.

Question 17

What was the sample of Utne et al (1984)?

Answer 17

118 participants were aged between 16 and 45 and had been together for 2 years or more before before marrying

Question 18

What did Utne et al (1984) find?

Answer 18

The study found that partners who rated their relationships as more equitable were also more equitable were more satisfying.

Question 19

How did Stafford and Canary (2006) look at social exchange?

Answer 19

Studies over 200 married couples completed questionnaires on relationship equity and satisfaction. They were asked about the ways they maintained their relationship.

Question 20

What did Stafford and Canary (2006) find?

Answer 20

Partners who perceived their relationships as fair and balanced followed by spouses who over benefitted from the relationships experienced the most satisfaction

Question 21

What supporting evidence did Brosnan and de Waal (2003)?

Answer 21

Study of capuchin monkeys found that if monkeys were denied their reward (grapes) for playing a game they became angry showing ancient origins of equity

Question 22

What are the strengths of Equity theory?

Answer 22

Supported by research findings, (Stafford and Canary 2006)

Question 23

What are the weaknesses of the Equity theory?

Answer 23

• Contradictory evidence from Berg and McQuinn (1986) - Cause and Effect issues (Van Yperen and Buunk 1990) - Individual differences, Hussman et al (1987)- Difference in gender, Sprecher (1992), DeMaris et al (1998) - Hard to assess, Mills & Clarke (1982) - Aumer-Ryan et al (2006)

Question 24

How did Berg and McQuinn (1986) find contradicting evidence against Equity theory?

Answer 24

Conducted a longitudinal study on 38 couples, not finding any increase in equity but discovered high self disclosure and perceived equity predicted they will stay together.

Question 25

How did Van Yperen and Buunk (1990) find issues with the cause and effects of the Equity theory?

Answer 25

Found dissatisfaction in inequitable relationships increased with time not the other way round. Dissatisfaction might be the cause

Question 26

What individuals differences did Hussman et al (1987) find?

Answer 26

Differences in perception of equity as those less sensitive will give more (benevolents) and others (entitled) believe they deserve to over benefit from relationships and don’t feel guilty about this

Question 27

What did Sprecher (1992) find about gender differences in equity?

Answer 27

Women tend to be more disturbed when under-benefitting and feel more guilt when over-benefitting.

Question 28

What did DeMaris et al (1998) find about gender differences in equity?

Answer 28

Suggests that women are more focused on relationships so more sensitive to injustices, shows clear gender differences so highlights importance of researching them separately.

Question 29

What could result from researching females and males separately?

Answer 29

Alpha bias and exaggerated differences.

Question 30

Why does Mills and Clarke (1982) believe it isn’t possible to assess equity?

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

What cultural differences did Aumer-Ryan et al (2006) find?

Answer 31

Shows that equity is more important in Western cultures than non western cultures and found both men and woman from collectivist cultures claimed to be most satisfied when over-benefitting. Shows a cultural bias.