Theories: Equity Theory Flashcards
What is equity theory?
It acknowledges the impact of rewards and costs on relationship satisfaction, but criticises social exchange theory for ignoring central role of equity- the perception partners have about whether the distribution of rewards and costs in the relationship is fair.
What is the role of equity?
Walster et al- what matter the most is if partners level of profit is roughly the same, when there is lack of equity one partner over benefits whilst another under benefits from the relationship (causes dissatisfaction). The person who feels the most dissatisfaction is likely to feel resentment and hostility whilst the over benefitted feels guilt and shame. About perceived fairness.
What matters in equity theory regarding rewards and costs?
Not the size or amount instead, the ratio of the two to each other.
What are the consequences of inequity?
Problems arise when one partner puts a great deal into the relationship but gets little out of it, the greater the perceived inequity the greater the dissatisfaction.
Changes in perceived equity- change in level of perceived equity as time goes on, may feel less satisfied
Dealing w/ inequity- under benefitted partner is motivated to make the relationship more equitable as long as they believe possible to do so.
What is brief AO3 for equity theory?
- Research support: Utne et al BUT, equity may not increase over time
- Cultural limitations
- Individual differences
What are strengths of equity theory?
Utne et al carried out a survey of 118 recently married couples, measuring equity with self-report scales. The p’s were aged between 16 and 45 and had been together more than two years before marrying. The researchers found that couples who considered the relationship equitable were satisfied. This study confirms equity is a major concern of romantic couples and is linked /w satisfaction
BUT, Equity may be feature of satisfaction in relationships but, Berg and McQuinn found that equity did not increase over time, as would be predicted by the theory. Nor did the researchers find that relationships which ended and those which continued differed in terms of equity. This undermines the validity of equity theory because equity does not play the role in relationship dissatisfaction that is predicted.
What are weaknesses of equity theory?
May not apply to all cultures, Aumer-Ryan et al found that there are cultural differences in the link between equity and satisfaction. Couples from an individualistic culture considered their relationships to be most satisfying when the relationships were equitable. Partners in a collectivist culture were most satisfied when over benefitting, true of men and women so cannot be explained by gender differences. Limited as only applies to some cultures.
Huseman et al suggest that some people are less concerned about equity than the norm, they describe some partners as benevolents who are prepared to contribute more to the relationship then they get out of it. Other entitleds who believe they deserve more. In both cases individuals have less concern about equity. This proves that desire for equity varies one individual to another and is not a universal feature.
