Theories Of Relationships: Equity Theory Flashcards
AO1:
Walster (1978)
Distribution rewards and costs is fair depending on the situation of the partners.
AO1:
Level of profits
Roughly the same, if not one partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits.
AO1:
Underbenefit vs overbenefit
Underbenefit is likely to feel dissatisfied, anger and hostility. Overbenefit feels guilt.
AO1:
Dissatisfaction
Most dissatisfaction comes from chant in level of perceived equity over time, not as satisfied as beginning.
AO1:
Dealing with inequity (behaviour)
Change in behaviour from overbenefitting, puts more effort in to restore equity.
AO1:
Dealing with inequity (cognitive)
Underbenefitting partner changes perceptions of norms and accepts new equity CL.
AO3:
Utne (1984)
Found correlation between satisfaction and equity, supporting evidence, increases validity.
AO3:
Utne method
Self-report, only married couples between 16-45 so study can’t be generalised.
AO3:
Aumer-Ryan (2007)
Collectivist cultures more satisfied when overbenefitting, limited explanation, decreases generalisability.
AO3:
Huseman (1987)
Individual differences, some couples are less sensitive to equity, complementarity from filter theory, decreases generalisability.
AO3:
Clark and Mills (2004)
Equity theory is more suited to casual work relationships as there is less commitment, limited explanation for romantic relationships.
AO3:
Reductionist
Relationships are too complex to be reduced down to cost and reward analysis, limited explanation.
AO3:
Atwater (1988)
Gender differences, women more likely to cheat due to inequity, decreases generalisability.
AO2:
Larsson (1998)
Application to marital therapy.
AO3:
Prin (1985)
Women are more likely to have an affair due to inequity, ethical implications could lead to a lack of trust if there is perceived inequity.
