Theories of romantic relationships: EQUITY THEORY

Question 1

What are the similarities between SET and the equity theory?

Answer 1

• equity theory is also an economic theory
• it agrees on the concept of rewards and costs

Question 2

What are the differences between SET and equity theory?

Answer 2

equity theory suggests that people seek for balance rather than the most profit in a relationship

Question 3

Equity theory

Answer 3

Walster et al (1978)
* in a relationship, both partners must benefit
* if one partners over-benefits + the other under-benefits then this will lead to unhappiness
* satisfaction from the relationship is about perceived fairness
* partners who perceives inequity will become disstressed and unhappy if the relationship continues this way for a long time
* the greater the perceived inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction - theres a strong positive correlation
* what makes us most dissatisfied is a change in perceived equity as time goes on
* people are more likely to be tolerant at the start of a relationship but if the perceived inequity continues as the relationship goes on, partners will become dissatisfied and therefore perceive the inequity to be a greater problem
* inequity leads to the under-benefited partner being motivated to make the relationship more balanced if they feel this is possible
* sometimes parners may cognitively revise their expectations of rewards and costs so that the relationship seems more fair even if there are no behavioural changes

Question 4

4 principles for equity

Answer 4

1. Profit- each partner seeks to gain more than they fit in
2. Distribution- partners will negotiate to ensure the relationship is equitable and fair
3. Distress- when unfairness is perceived, disatissfaction begins. Distress will increase in line with the amount of inequity
4. Restoring balance - when inequity is detected, partner will be motivated to act to restore the balance

Question 5

Evaluation

Answer 5

+ Supportive evidence
- Overlooks individual differences
- Doesnt consider emotions
+ Supportive evidence
- Theory is not enough

Question 6

+ Suppotive evidence

Answer 6

Utne et al (1984)
* conducted a survey of 118 recently married couples, aged 16-45 years and found those who considered their relationship to be balanced and fair were more satisfied with their relatiosnhip

Question 7

- Overlooks individual differences

Answer 7

• some argue that equity theory doesnt consider individual differences
• Huseman et al (1987) argues that people are willing to contribute more to a relationship without the same expectation from their partner
• others enjoy over-benefiting and do not feel guilty or distressed

Question 8

- Doesnt consider emotions

Answer 8

• some have criticised the theory on the basis that much of what people put into a relationship is emotional and emotion is difficult to measure
• claim that we balance inputs and gains is therefore problematic
• its not operationalised

Question 9

+ Supportive evidence

Answer 9

Dainton (2003)
* found that people who were in romantic relationships perceievd as unfair, were the least satisfied but also the motivated to improve the equity of the relationship
* supports the claim that equity is a leading factor in maintaining relationships

Question 10

- theory is not enough

Answer 10

Berg and McQuinn (1986)
* found that equity didnt increase in their longitudinal study of dating couples, as the equity theory would predict
* theory doesnt distinguish between those relationships which ended and those that continued
* variables such as self-disclosure appeared to be more important
* strong criticism because it is based on real couoples studied over time
* low in internal validity