relationships: eqiuity theory ao3

Question 1

research suport

Answer 1

P; supporting ev includes studies of real life relationships that confirm equity theory as being more valid than social exchange
E: utne et al 1948 carried out a survey of 118 recently married couples, measuring equity with 2 self report scales
E: these husbands and wives were aged bet 16-45 and had been together for 2 years before marrying. researchers found that couples who considered their relationship to be more equitable were more satisfied than those who felt like they were under or over benefitting
L: such research confirms the central predictions of equity theory supporting its validity as an explanation of romantic relationships

Question 2

counterpoint to research support

Answer 2

P; whilst utne 1984 research supports the validity of equity theory the research has a major drawback - its over reliance on self report methods
E: they used these methods to measure equity however it is likely that the ppts werent truthful as they were keen to be presented in a positive light to the researchers eg didnt want to seem like the underbenefitting partner who has had to lower their standards through revising their concept of cost and reward
E: this can be explained by them showing demand characteristics - social desirability bias
L: thus issues with the methodology decrease the internal validity of this research

Question 3

issues and debates - nomothetic approach

Answer 3

P: an issue with equity theory is that it uses a nomothetic
E: it attempts to create general laws on how dissatisfaction occurs on relationships and then apply those laws universally to all relationships. for example, inequity leading to underbenefiting partner to revise their concept of cost/benefit or that equity/fairness in each partners costs and rewards leads to satisfaction
E: however mills and clarke 1982 argue that its not possible to asses equity in terms of loving relationships as alot of the input is emotional and thus unquantifiable
L: consequently it may be better for theories of romantic relationships to employ an idiographic approach which focuses on the qualitative expirence of individuals rather than creating general laws on human relationships

Question 4

culture bias

Answer 4

P; one limitation is that equity theory may not be valid in all cultures
E: aumer-ryan et al 2007 found couples in an individualistic culture linked satisfaction to equity but partners in a collectivist culture were more satisfied when they were overbenefitting
E: this was true for both mean and women and so therfore must be a consistent social rather than gender based difference
L: the assumption that equity is key in relationship satisfaction is not supported in all cultures. thus limiting its ability ti account for all romantic relationships.