relationships Flashcards
A01: What is equity theory? (2)
Equity theory - theory on relationships which developed to challenge SET
It argues that maximising rewards/minimising costs is important, but SET fails to consider that most people need EQUITY in a relationship.
A01 EQUITY THEORY: KEY POINTS (2)
- the role of equity
- equity vs equality
A01 EQUITY THEORY: the role of equity (3)
- equity = fairness
- Walster - what matter most with equity is that both partners’ level of profit is roughly the same
- inequity = over benefitting partner/under benefitting partner - leads to feeling of dissatisfaction, or guilt and shame
A01 EQUITY THEORY: why does this theory emphasise EQUITY rather than EQUALITY?
- According to equity theory, it is not the size or the amount of the rewards and costs that matters, it’s the ratio of the two to each other (the profit each party is receiving)
- Satisfying relationship are marked by negotiations to ensure equity, that rewards are distributed fairly (not necessarily equally) between the partners
AO1 EQUITY THEORY: how does satisfaction play into this theory? (2)
- Satisfaction is all about perceived fairness
- Satisfying relationship are marked by negotiations to ensure equity, that rewards are distributed fairly (not necessarily equally) between the partners
AO1 EQUITY THEORY: what are the consequences of inequity? (2)
- strong correlation between prolonged levels of inequity and distress (for over/under benefitted partner)
- changes in perceived equity (may have received a lot more at the start) - leads to dissatisfaction
AO1 EQUITY THEORY: how may some deal with inequity?
Dealing with equity – the more unfair the relationship feels, the harder they will work to restore equity. Partners may try make a cognitive rather than a behavioural change –> What was seen as definitely a cost earlier (abuse, thoughtlessness) may be seen as a norm to make the relationship feel more balanced
Explain what is meant by the term equity in romantic relationships (2m)
The term equity means fairness, Within a romantic relationship, equity is when both partners’ level of profit is roughly the same.
Briefly outline the equity theory into romantic relationships (6m)
Equity theory is an explanation of relationship maintenance based on motivation to achieve fairness and balance in a relationship and is an extension of social exchange theory. Equity is different to equality with equality meaning things are the same whereas equity is based on things being fair. Therefore, equity theory believes the amount an individual puts into a relationship should be the same as what they get out of a relationship. Inequity in a relationship, where a partner may feel they are putting in more than they are getting out which can lead to dissatisfaction. Equally, being over benefitted can lead to guilt and shame thus causing dissatisfaction. If inequity is recognised within the relationship, then an opportunity occurs to make adjustments in the relationship in order to realign equity. Realignment can be physical which might involve redistribution of chores around the house, or it could be cognitive which may involve changing the way of thinking about rewards and costs
What is social exchange theory? (SET) (2)
- theory on how relationships form and develop
- a committed relationship is maintained when reward exceeds and potential alternatives are less rewarding than current relationship
AO1 SET THEORY: how do rewards, costs and profits contribute to relationships? (3)
- Thibault and Kelley: behaviour is dictated by minimising losses and maximising gains (the minimax principle)
- satisfaction in a relationship is dictated by the profit it yields
- rewards/costs are subjective - but what may be seen as rewarding/costly in early stages, might be less so as time goes on
AO1 SET THEORY: what is a comparison level? (3)
- comparison level - a method of measuring profit in a relationship based on what we think we deserve/social norms
- we consider a relationship to be worth perusing is the CL is high
- Comparison level of alternatives - theory predicts that we will stay in a current relationship only so long as we believe it’s more rewarding than alternatives, otherwise alternatives will start to look more attractive (Duck)
AO1 SET THEORY: what are the 4 stages of relationship development?
Sampling Stage: explore rewards and costs through experimentation and comparison
Bargaining Stage: beginning of relationship - start exchanging rewards/costs and identifying what is profitable
Commitment Stage: sources of costs/rewards become more predictable. Relationship becomes more stable as rewards increase and costs lessen
Institutionalisation stage: partners settled, norms established
AO1 DUCK’S PHASE MODEL: What is Duck’s Phase Model of Breakdown?
Duck’s phase model of breakdown - an explanation of the stages people go through when their relationship isn’t working
Argued that the ending of a relationship is a process that takes time and goes through distinct phases - each phase marked by a ‘threshold’
AO1 DUCK’S BREAKDOWN THEORY: What are the 4 stages of a breakup?
- INTRA-PSYCHIC PHASE
- DYADIC PHASE
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SOCIAL PHASE
- GRAVE-DRESSING PHASE
AO1 DUCK’S BREAKDOWN THEORY: What is the intra-psychic phase?
INTRA-PSYCHIC PHASE: STAGE ONE
THRESHOLD: ‘I can’t stand this anymore’ - determination for something to change
FOCUS: cognitive processes within the on cognitive processes within the individual – dissatisfied partner broods on the reason for their satisfaction, centring on partner’s faults
OUTCOME: weighing up the pros and cons of the relationship and evaluation against alternatives
AO1 DUCK’S BREAKDOWN THEORY: What is the dyadic phase?
DYADIC PHASE: STAGE TWO
THRESHOLD: ‘I would be justified in ending this’
FOCUS: focus on interpersonal processes between partners - can no longer avoid talking about the relationship - such confrontation would be characterised by hostility and complaints about imbalanced roles
OUTCOMES: two outcomes - either determination to repair relationship or to break it up
AO1 DUCK’S BREAKDOWN THEORY: What is the social phase?
SOCIAL STAGE: STAGE THREE
THRESHOLD: dissatisfied partners concludes that breakup is official
FOCUS: wider processes involving couple’s social network - break up becomes public - some may provide reassurance or be judgemental and place blame on one partner. Some may choose to reveal secret info, or others may choose to try repair it.
OUTCOME: At this stage, breakup is at no point of return and continues
AO1 DUCK’S BREAKDOWN THEORY: What is the grave-dressing phase?
GRAVE-DRESSING PHASE: FOURTH STAGE
THRESHOLD: breakup is ‘inevitable’ now
FOCUS: aftermath - create a story to try to maintain a positive reputation (often at the expense of another partner). Memories are tided up whilst each partner retains some ‘social credit’ by blaming other people/partner for what happened. Gossip plays an important role
OUTCOME: Dissatisfied partner moves onto a new life
AO1 RASBULT’S INVESTMENT MODEL: main assumptions of this model (4)
- emphasises the importance of commitment
- addresses the limitations of SET
- Rasbult - commitment depends on 3 factors, satisfaction level, comparison with alternatives and investment size
- commitment is seen as the main psychological factor that causes people to stay in romantic relationships – not satisfaction
AO1 RASBULT’S INVESTMENT MODEL: satisfaction and comparison with alternatives (2)
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SATISFACTION AND COMPARISON WITH ALTERNATIVES:
satisfying relationship is profitable = many rewards and few costs. Each partner is satisfied if they’re getting more out of the relationship than they expect based on previous experience/social norms. - Comparison with alternatives → partners ask themselves whether alternatives are more rewarding (alternatives - being single, or being with someone else)
AO1 RASBULT’S INVESTMENT MODEL: Investment size (3)
INVESTMENT SIZE
- ‘Investment’ = extent/importance of resources associated with the relationship. An investment can be understood as anything we would lose if the relationship ended.
- Rasbult defined two types - intrinsic (resources put directly into a relationship like money/energy) and extrinsic (resources that didn’t prev feature in the relationship but possessions bought together like children)
