Theories of Romantic Relationships- Equity Theory

Question 1

What does the equity theory suggest?

Answer 1

• What matters most for a relationship to work is that both partners feel the relationship is fair
• Individuals become dissatisfied with their relationship if they feel they’re suffering from inequity
• If they are over benefitting or under benefitting dissatisfaction occurs

Question 2

What is the theory based around?

Answer 2

Fairness

Question 3

What feelings can under benefitting lead to?

Answer 3

1. Anger
2. Hostility
3. Resentment
4. Humiliation

Question 4

What can feelings of over benefitting lead to?

Answer 4

1. Guilt
2. Comfort
3. Shame

Question 5

Who proposed the equity theory?

Answer 5

Walster

Question 6

What are the 4 factors associated with the theory?

Answer 6

1. Profit
2. Distribution
3. Dissatisfaction
4. Realignment

Question 7

If the point is:

A strength of the equity theory is that there is evidence to support the role of equity in romantic relationships.

What is the evidence and link?

Answer 7

Evidence- Yum researched cultural differences in 6 different cultures. Whilst there were little differences between cultures, Yum found that equitable couples performed the most maintenance strategies, suggesting it takes a lot of effort to keep a relationship equitable. The group who performed the most maintenance strategies were the over benefitters followed by the under benefitters.

Link- This suggests that equity has a major influence over romantic relationships.

Question 8

If the point is:

A weakness of the equity theory is that it has cause and effect issues as, although inequity and dissatisfaction are linked, they are merely correlational.

What is the evidence, explanation and link?

Answer 8

Evidence- Clark argues that most people in relationships don’t think in terms of rewards and equity and if they do, the relationship is in trouble.

Explanation- It could be that perhaps another variable mediates the relationships, such as being jealous or having a loss of investment which may force you to think about the fairness in a relationship.

Link- This implies that there may be problems with casuality and reliability.

Question 9

If the point is:

A weakness of the equity theory is that it neglects to consider individual differences in relationships, as not all partners are concerned about achieving equity.

What is the evidence and link?

Answer 9

Evidence- Huseman suggested that some people are less sensitive to equity than others and that there are 2 separate types of people: benevolents and entitleds. Benevolents are prepared to contribute more to the relationship than they get out of it, whereas entitleds believe they deserve to over benefit and accept it without feeling guilty.

Link- This suggests that the equity theory may lack validity.

Question 10

If the point is:

A strength of the equity theory is that there are great practical applications which result from the theory.

What is the evidence, explanation and link?

Answer 10

Evidence- For example, using this theory can help to develop couples therapy to focus on the fairness in relationships.

Explanation- Explaining to couples that, although they may put more into some aspects of their relationship, overall its likely to be fairer when we consider multiple aspects.

Link- This implies that the theory can be used to support many real life relationships.

Question 11

What are the evaluation points for the equity theory?

Answer 11

+ Evidence to support the role pf equity in romantic relationships

— Cause and effect issues as, although inequity and dissatisfaction are linked, they’re merely correlational

— Neglects to consider individual differences in relationships, as not all partners are concerned about achieving equity

+ Great practical applications for society as a result of the theory