Theories Of Reomantic Relaionhsips: Equity Theory Flashcards
(14 cards)
Equity theory
Economic theory which was developed as a criticism to social exchange theory
What theory was this made as a response to?
Social exchange theory as doesn’t take into account how people aspire to have a balance in their relationship as opped to just maximising profits
Walster suggests equity and fairness is the same
A lack of equity =
One partner over benefits and the other under benefits from the relationship, this is a recipe for dissatisfaction and unhappiness
Under benefit and over benefit r examples of inequity although the under benefitted partner is one likely to feel the greatest dissatisfaction
Feeling of over and under benefitted
Under - anger, hostility, resentment, and humiliation
Over - guilt, discomfort, and shame
Therefore satisfaction is about perceived fairness + equity
Consequences of inequity
One partner puts lots of effort and get little out of it, partner who receives inequity will becomes distressed and dissatisfied if state of relationship continues for too long
The greater the dissatisfaction, ET predicts a string correlation between these
Changes in perceived equity
At start may feel natural to contribute more than received but continues = wont feel as satisfied
Dealing with inequity
Underbenefitted partner is usually motivated to make relationship more equitable if they believe it can be mended
The more unfair the rel is, the harder they will work to restore equity
Cognitive outcomes rather than behavioural
Revise perceptions of rewards + costs so relationship feels more equitable to them even if no change
What was once seen as a cost is now the norm
E.g untidiness, thoughtlessness, actual abuse
Principles of equity theory
Distribution - trade-offs/compensations + negotiated to achieve fairness in a relationship
Dissatisfaction - the greater the degree of perceived unfairness, the greater the sense of dissatisfaction
Realignment - if restoring equity is possible, maintenance will continue with attempts made to realign equity
Dealing with inequity
Restoration of actual equity - voluntarily setting things right
Restoration of psychological equity - convincing urself/partner that things r fair the way they r
Unable to restore - either ending relationship or emosh ending it, no feelings of love but not breaking up
Strength - real world married couples
Utne et al surveyed 118 recently married couples measuring equity in their relationship using self report had been together for at least 2 years before m
Founds couples who perceived relationships as equitable whew more satisfied comp to those who felt under/over benefitted
Support has highlights how fairness + balance r sig factors in romantic satisfaction
Counter - self report = social desirability bias
Limitation - equity theory predictions not supported by research evidence
Berk + mcquinn conducted a study + found equity in relations did not increase overtime as theory predicts
Also observed no sig difference in equity between relationships that ended and those that continued
Suggests maybe self disclosure may be more important than equity
Lim - doesn’t apply to all
Not all partners r concerned about achieve it equity, Richard huesman et al suggests some people r less concerned about equity than norm.
Desire for equity varied and isn’t universal feature of romantic relationships
Lim - culturally limited
Ryan et al - equity ans sat
Individualistic cultures - US satisfaction = equitable relationships
Collectivist culture - Jamaica - Satisfaction = over benefiting
