ToRR: Equity theory

Question 1

What type of theory is the equity theory and why did it develop?

Answer 1

• another economic theory
• developed in response to significant criticism of the SET > fails to account for the need most people have for balance rather than profit

Question 2

Who came up with the equity theory?

Answer 2

Walster et al

Question 3

What does Walster et al argue matters most with equity?

Answer 3

• fairness
• that both partners level of profit (rewards minus cost) is roughly the same
• nobody is over benefiting or under benefiting or this leads to dissatisfaction & unhappiness

Question 4

What does the equity theory argues matters about rewards and cost in relationship?

Answer 4

• the ratio of the two to each other
• e.g. if one partner puts a lot into relationship but at the same time gets a lot out of it> likely to be satisfied (someone might contribute money, someone else good company)
• satisfying relationships are marked by negotiations

Question 5

What are the consequences of inequity?

Answer 5

• partner who perceives inequity will become distressed & dissatisfied
• greater the perceived inequity= greater the dissatisfaction (theory predicts strong correlation)

Question 6

How do romantic partners (under benefited partner) deal with equity? behavioural & cognitive

Answer 6

• behavioural outcome >under benefitted partner is motivated to make the relationship more equitable > harder they work to restore equity
• cognitive outcome > or revise their perceptions of rewards & costs so relationship feels more equitable even if nothing actually changes

Question 7

What is a strength of the equity theory?

Answer 7

• research support
• evidence from studies of real-world relationships that confirm equity theory = more valid explanation
• Utne at al carried out a survey of 118 recently married couples to measure equity
• p’s were age 16-45 & had been together more than 2 years before marrying
• found that couples who considered their relationship equitable = more satisfied than those who saw themselves as inequitable
• confirms equity is linked to satisfaction

Question 8

What is a limitation of the equity theory?

Answer 8

• does not apply to all cultures
• Aumer-Ryan et al found that there are cultural differences in the link between equity & satisfaction
• Couples from individualistic cultures (US) considered relationship to be most satisfying when it was equitable
• partners in collectivist cultures (Jamaica) were most satisfied when they were over benefitting
• theory = limited

Question 9

What is another limitation of equity theory?

Answer 9

• not all romantic partners are concerned about equity
• Huseman et al suggests that there are two types of partners; benevolents (prepared to contribute more to relationship and under benefit & entitleds (believe they deserve to over benefit & accept it without feeling distressed or guilty)
• desire for equity varies from individual > not universal

Question 10

What research shows opposing evidence to equity being the cause of dissatisfaction?

Answer 10

• limitation is that the equity theory direction of cause & effect may be questionable
• the theory argues that a lack of equity causes dissatisfaction (effect) in romantic relationships
• However, Grote & Clark show the opposite direction of cause and effect > they argue that if partners monitor equity & keep track of each other’s contributions, then the relationship is not a healthy one > It is already deteriorating & possibly heading for breakdown as this is a sign of dissatisfaction
• once one partner becomes dissatisfied, they begin to perceive inequalities in the relationship (effect)
• This makes them even more dissatisfied and this ‘cycle of misery’ continues
• inequity is both a cause & effect of dissatisfaction in relationships & equity theory is only a partial explanation of the process