theories of romantic relationships: equity theory

Question 1

Social exchange theory suggests that partners seek equality, a balance between

Answer 1

costs and benefits

Question 2

in contrast to social exchange theory, Walster et al proposes that ____ (fairness) is more important which means that both partner’s levels of profits should equally be the same

Answer 2

equity

Question 3

when can a lack of equity occur?

Answer 3

• where one partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits from the relationship= recipe for dissatisfaction and unhappiness

Question 4

how can a lack of equity lead to dissatisfaction and unhappiness?

Answer 4

• underbenefitting partner is likely to be the least satisfied and their feelings may be evident in anger and resentment
• the overbenefitting partner may feel less dissatisfied but is still likely to feel discomfort and shame

Question 5

how does equity theory differ to social exchange theory?

Answer 5

• equity= fairness

- SET= maximising profits- balance between costs and benefits

Question 6

explain how size and amount of rewards are not the issue- equity is about the fairness of the ratios

Answer 6

• satisfying relationships are thought to involve negotiation to achieve and maintain equity
• often the negotiations involve trade-offs to achieve a sense of fairness e.g. if one partner puts alot into the relationship but at the same time, gets alot out of it, then that will seem fair enough

Question 7

the greater the perceived inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction =

Answer 7

strong correlation between the two 2 and applies to both underbenefitting and over benefitting partner

Question 8

explain how changes in equity are likely to occur during a relationship

Answer 8

• usually at the start of a relationship it may feel perfectly natural to contribute more than you receive
• however if the situation persists as the relationship develops and one person continues to put in more than they get out of the relationship then satisfaction with the relationship may fail

Question 9

explain how inequity has to be addressed at times in relationships

Answer 9

• underbenefitted partner will work hard to make the relationship more equitable as long as they believe it is possible to do so and that the relationship is salvageable
• the greater the inequity the more work that is required to restore a sense of fairness
• the change could be a cognitive one as opposed to a behavioural one- for example the partner will revise their perceptions of rewards and costs so that the relationship feels more equitable to them, even if nothing actually changes

Question 10

what is a consequence of perceptions of rewards and costs being revised?

Answer 10

actual abuse can become accepted as the norm for that relationship e.g. reframing ‘cruelty’ as a form of rough treatment for your own good

Question 11

what are the evaluation points for equity theory?

Answer 11

• research support (Utne et al)
• unable to explain why partners stay in abusive relationships unlike other theories such as investment model
• equity theory may not be valid in all cultures
• may not apply to all cultures (Clark and Mills)

Question 12

explain how there is research support for equity theory (Utne et al)

Answer 12

• Utne et al surveyed over 100 married couples measuring equity with 2 self-report scales
• the findings were that couples who considered their relationship equitable were more satisfied than those who saw themselves as overbenefiting or underbenefiting

Question 13

explain how equity theory may not be valid in all cultures

Answer 13

• despite the research support from Utne, cultural differences have been identified between equity and satisfaction
• couples in individualistic cultures considered their relationship to be most satisfying when they were equitable, whereas partners in collectivist cultures were most satisfied when they were overbenefitting
• this was true for both men and women suggesting it is a consistent social, rather than gender-based difference
• the assumption of equity theory is equity is the driving force in relationships in all cultures is not supported and the theory should be considered limited in its scope for accounting for all romantic relationships

Question 14

explain how equity theory may not apply to all cultures (Clark and Mills)

Answer 14

• Clark and Mills suggest that we should distinguish between different types of relationships, for example romantic and business ones
• studies strongly support the view that equity plays a central role in casual friendships, business/work relationships but evidence that equity is important in romantic relationships is more limited
• in terms of romantic relationships it would therefore seem there is limited support for equity theory and it may be better at explaining other forms of relationship