Relationships: Equity theory (Walster) Flashcards
Explain how equity theory is different to SET
- SET says behaviour is a series of exchanges – benefit and cost.
- whereas Equity theory says people strive to achieve fairness in their relationships.
-> Any kind of inequity can make people feel distressed.
What is satisfaction
- Satisfaction is about perceived fairness
- Under benefit = anger, hostility, resentment and humiliation
- Over benefit = guilt, discomfort and shame
what is perceived fairness (satisfaction)
- a person holds subjective views on the relative inputs and outputs of themselves and their partner.
- If we fear inequity in our relationship, we may try and change our input and outputs to restore equity.
- Eg. If one person puts a lot into their relationship but at the same time gets a lot out of it, then this will seem fair.
- If they gained a lot and didn’t put in effort, it would be inequitable.
What are the key principles of the equity theory
- Profit
- distribution
- dissatisfaction
- realignment
What is profit
- rewards are maximised and costs minimise.
What is distribution
- Trade-offs and compensations are negotiated to achieve fairness in a relationship.
What is dissatisfaction
- The greater the degree of perceived unfairness, the greater the sense of dissatisfaction.
What is realignment
- If restoring equity is possible, maintenance will continue, with attempts made to realign equity.
explain changes in perceived equity
- At the start of a relationship it may feel perfectly natural to contribute more than you receive.
- If this continues, it will not feel as satisfying as the early days.
explain dealing with inequity
- If the relationship is salvageable, the ‘put-upon’ partner will work hard to make the relationship work.
- Cognitive approach: revise the benefits and costs even if nothing changes.
List the evaluations for the equity theory
Positive:
- Supporting research evidence
Negative:
- Cultural influences/differences (Moghaddam)
- Individual differences
- different types of relationship
(+) explain supporting research evidence for equity theory (Utne) (Hatfield)
- More valid than SET-> Utne et al. (1984) conducted a survey of 118 recently married couples, measuring equity using two self-report scales.
-> Results indicated that couples who considered their relationship equitable were more satisfied. - Hatfield (1989) looked at people who felt over-or under-benefited. The under-benefited felt angry and deprived, while the over-benefited felt guilty and uncomfortable.
(-) Explain how the cultural influences/differences with equity theory (Moghaddam)
- ‘economic’ theories only apply to Western relationships and even then only to certain short-term relationships among individuals with high mobility.
- One group of people who fit this description are students in Western societies. They are typically very mobile and experience many short-term romantic relationships.
- long-term relationships particularly in non-traditional societies, are more likely to value security than personal profit.
(-) explain how equity theory does not account for individual differences (Huseman)
- Huseman et al. (1987) suggested that some people are less sensitive to equity than others.
- Benevolents: prepared to contribute more than they get out.
- Entitleds: who believe they deserve to be over benefitted and accept it without feeling distressed or guilty.
(-) Explain how the equity theory does not account for romantic relationship (Clark and Mills)
- We should distinguish between different types of relationships.
- Research supports that equity plays a central role in causal friendships, work relationships and acquaintanceships.
- In terms of romantic relationships, the evidence is mixed.
