Psychology - Relationships - Theories of romantic relationships: Equity theory Flashcards
What type of theory is equity theory?
an economic theory
What does equity theory look at?
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
What does equity theory acknowledge?
The impacts of rewards and costs on relationship satisfaction, but criticises social exchange theory for ignoring the central role of equity.
What does equity theory propose?
The winning formula of fairness in relationships
What is the winning formula of fairness in relationships?
One partners benefits minus their costs, should equal another partners benefits minus their costs.
According to equity theory who will feel guilt and shame in a relationship?
A person who gets more benefits out of relationships than they put in
According to equity theory who will feel angry and resentful in a relationship?
Those who think they put a lot in but get very little back
What does Walster et al (1978) see equity as based on?
four principles
What are the four principles that Walster et al (1978) saw equity as being based on?
Profit, Distribution, Dissatisfaction and Realignment
What is the first principle that Walster et al (1978) saw equity as being based on?
Profit
Profit as a principle of equity
Individuals try to maximise rewards and positive experiences in a relationship whilst also trying to minimise the costs. Aim is to make a profit.
Distribution as principle of equity
Negotiations is needed in a relationship to ensure that fairness occurs in terms of the rewards and costs distributed, compensation might occur.
Dissatisfaction as a principal of equity
Is the relationship is unfair or inequitable, it produces stress and dissatisfaction especially for the disadvantages
Realignment as a principle of equity
The disadvantaged person will try to restore equity in the relationship so it can continue
What are the research examining equity theory of romantic relationships?
Utne et al (1984), Stafford and Canary (2006), Brosnan and de Waal (2003)
Utne et al (1984) research on equity theory
Used self report scales to measure equity and satisfaction in recently married couples.
What was the sample of Utne et al (1984)?
118 participants were aged between 16 and 45 and had been together for 2 years or more before before marrying
What did Utne et al (1984) find?
The study found that partners who rated their relationships as more equitable were also more equitable were more satisfying.
How did Stafford and Canary (2006) look at social exchange?
Studies over 200 married couples completed questionnaires on relationship equity and satisfaction. They were asked about the ways they maintained their relationship.
What did Stafford and Canary (2006) find?
Partners who perceived their relationships as fair and balanced followed by spouses who over benefitted from the relationships experienced the most satisfaction
What supporting evidence did Brosnan and de Waal (2003)?
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
What are the strengths of Equity theory?
Supported by research findings, (Stafford and Canary 2006)
What are the weaknesses of the Equity theory?
- 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)
How did Berg and McQuinn (1986) find contradicting evidence against Equity theory?
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.
How did Van Yperen and Buunk (1990) find issues with the cause and effects of the Equity theory?
Found dissatisfaction in inequitable relationships increased with time not the other way round. Dissatisfaction might be the cause
What individuals differences did Hussman et al (1987) find?
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
What did Sprecher (1992) find about gender differences in equity?
Women tend to be more disturbed when under-benefitting and feel more guilt when over-benefitting.
What did DeMaris et al (1998) find about gender differences in equity?
Suggests that women are more focused on relationships so more sensitive to injustices, shows clear gender differences so highlights importance of researching them separately.
What could result from researching females and males separately?
Alpha bias and exaggerated differences.
Why does Mills and Clarke (1982) believe it isn’t possible to assess equity?
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.
What cultural differences did Aumer-Ryan et al (2006) find?
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.
