relationships- theories of romantic relationships: equity theory Flashcards
role of equity: need for equity in relationships
-Walster et al. (1978) propose equity is more important where both partners’ level of profit (rewards minus costs) should be roughly the same
role of equity: underbenefitting and overbenefitting
-UNDERBENEFITTED partner likely to be LEAST SATISFIED- feelings may be evident in anger and resentment
-OVERBENEFITTED may feel less dissatisfied but still likely to feel DISCOMFORT and SHAME
role of equity: fairness of ratios
-not the size or amount of the rewards and costs that matters- it’s the ratio of them to each other.
-e.g. partner is disabled they may not be able to do certain chores but compensate in other areas, so both partners still feel a sense of fairness.
consequences of inequity:
-greater perceived inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction- ET predicts a strong positive correlation between the two
- applies to both the overbenefitted and underbenefitted partner.
consequences of inequity: changes in equity occur during a relationship
-at start it may feel perfectly natural to contribute more than you receive
-if situation carries on as the relationship develops (one person continues to put more in and get less out), then dissatisfaction will set in.
consequences of inequity: dealing w/ inequity
-underbenefitted partner motivated to make the relationship more equitable if they believe its salvageable
-greater the inequity the harder it is to restore equity
-change could be cognitive rather than behavioural.
dissatisfied partner might revise their perceptions of r/c so the relationship feels more equitable even if nothing changes
-s/t once perceived as a cost (e.g. abuse) can become accepted as the norm for the relationship.
ao3 equity theory: research support
-Utne et al. (1984) conducted a survey w/ recently-married couples who’d been together more than 2yrs before marrying
-those who thought their relationship equitable were more satisfied that those who saw themselves as under- or overbenefitting
-supports central predictions of ET that equity a major concern of couples, linked w/ satisfaction
ao3 equity theory: CA to research support
-Berg and McQuinn (1986) found that equity did not distinguish between relationships which ended and those that continued - other variables (e.g. self-disclosure) were more important.
-validity of the theory is in doubt because the predictions of the theory are not supported by research.
ao3 equity theory: may not be valid in all cultures
-AUMER-Ryan et al. (2007) found couples in an individualist culture (US) most satisfied when their relationship was equitable
-however, partners in collectivist cultures (Jamaica) were most satisfied when overbenefitting (both men and women, so not explained by gender differences)
-suggests theory limited as only applies to some cultures
ao3 equity theory: individual differences
-Huseman et al. (1987) suggests not all partners concerned ab equity. benevolents are happy to contribute more that they get (under-benefit)
-entitleds believe they deserve to overbenefit and accept it w/o guilt or distress
-shows desire for equity varies from one individual to another and is not a universal feature of romantic relationships
