equity theory

Question 1

what is equity theory

Answer 1

claims people most comfortable when what they get out of a relationship (benefits) is roughly equal to what they put in (cost)

Question 2

inequity & dissatisfaction

Answer 2

• people most comfy when getting roughly what they deserve (same as what they put in)
• if it lacks equity then becomes associated with dissatisfaction
• if one feels over-benefited may feel guilt/shame
• if one feels under-benefitted may feel anger
• greater the inequity the greater the dissatisfaction

Question 3

timetable for equity/inequity in marriage

Answer 3

• Schafer & Keith surveyed hundreds of married couples & noted who experienced inequity with domestic responsibilities
• in child-rearing years, wives felt under-benefitted & satisfaction dipped
• in honeymoon and empty-nest stages both felt equity & satisfaction
• initial stages of relationship equity more important but in committed relationships partners don’t keep score

Question 4

dealing with inequity

Answer 4

• if inequity perceived, partners motivated to restore it
• Hatfield & Rapson said this can be achieved in three ways:
  
  • restoration of actual equity (voluntarily making things right)
  • restoration of psychological equity (convince yourself things are fine)
  • leave relationship (physically through divorce or no longer having feelings)

Question 5

key study - Stafford & Canary procedure

Answer 5

• investigated how equity & satisfaction led to use of maintenance strategies typically used in marriages
• asked 200 married couples to complete measures of equity & satisfaction
• each then asked questions on their use of maintenance strategies - assurance, sharing tasks & positivity

Question 6

key study - Stafford & Canary findings

Answer 6

• satisfaction highest for partners perceiving equity
• next highest reported for over-benefited
• least satisfaction for under-benefited partners
• under-benefited husbands reported lower levels of maintenance strategies compared to equitable or over-benefitted husbands
• equitable spouses happier & more likely to engage in maintenance strategies

Question 7

evaluation 1

Answer 7

SUPPORT FROM ANIMALS: study with Capuchin monkeys found female ones highly angry if were denied a highly prized reward of grapes in return for playing a game. if another monkey (no part in game) received it they grow so angry they throw food at experimenter
STRENGTH: applicable to both humans & animals
PROBLEMS OF CAUSALITY: though research has established link between inequity & dissatisfaction the causal relationship is unclear. Clark argues that in most relationships, couples don’t think in terms of reward & equity & if they do it’s sign their marriage is in trouble so dissatisfaction is cause not consequence
LIMIT: unsure whether inequity causes dissatisfaction in a relationship or is dissatisfaction causes inequity

Question 8

evaluation 2

Answer 8

REAL LIFE APPLICATION: now we know about equity leading to a happy relationship we can help couples by encourage them to do an equal number of tasks in relationship
STRENGTH: can help real life couples
GENDER DIFFERENCES: men & women not equally affected by inequity. women tend to perceive themselves as more under-benefitted compared to men and are also more disturbed by being under-benefitted than men
LIMIT: generalises its assumptions to both genders without accounting for fact that women are more vigilant with inequity