Equity Theory A01/3 Flashcards
(5 cards)
What does Equity Theory propose about romantic relationships?
Couples strive for balance and fairness in the distribution of rewards and costs. The greater the perceived inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction, regardless of whether one is over- or under-benefitting.
How does Stafford & Canary’s research support equity theory?
In a study of 200 married couples, Stafford & Canary found that the more equitable spouses perceived their relationship to be, the more satisfied they were. Additionally, spouses who reported using relationship maintenance strategies (e.g. positivity, assurances) also reported higher equity and satisfaction—directly supporting the theory’s core claim that perceived fairness is central to relationship quality.
Why might the causal direction in equity theory be questioned?
It may be that relationship dissatisfaction leads to a perception of inequity, not the other way around. Dissatisfied individuals may become more sensitive to imbalances, challenging the assumption that inequity causes dissatisfaction, and reducing the explanatory power of the theory.
What do Huseman’s findings suggest about individual differences in equity perception?
Huseman identified three equity sensitivity types: • Benevolents: tolerate under-benefit • Entitleds: prefer over-benefit • Equity Sensitives: desire fairness. These findings imply that not all individuals seek equity to the same degree, meaning the theory lacks universality and may not account for personality differences in relationships.
What did Aumer-Ryan et al. find about cultural differences and equity in relationships?
Aumer-Ryan et al. (2007) studied couples from Jamaica, India, and America and found that people from the individualistic culture (America) strongly preferred equity and fairness in relationships. In contrast, those from collectivist cultures (Jamaica and India) were more accepting of inequity to maintain relationship harmony. This shows Equity Theory lacks universality and is culturally biased, as it does not apply equally across different cultural contexts.
