Theories Of Romantic Relationships, Equity Theory

Question 1

What type of theory is equity theory

Answer 1

-An economical Theory

Question 2

The role of equity in relationships

Answer 2

-Equity = fairness
-When both partners profit (reward -cost) is roughly the same

Question 3

What happens in a relationship without equity

Answer 3

-Under benefiting = neglected and angry
-Over benefiting = guilt and shame
-Both lead to dissatisfaction within the relationship
-The greater the perceived inequity has a strong correlation with greater dissatisfaction

Question 4

Why not equality?

Answer 4

-Equality makes the assumption that both rewards and benefits should be equal not equitable
-An equal distribution of chores would not be fair if one partner had to work all day

Question 5

What are the 4 main principles for maintaining an equitable relationship

Answer 5

-Profit
-Distribution
-Dissatisfaction
-realignment

Question 6

Profit

Answer 6

Attempt to make sure that the profit is equal to that of your partners

Question 7

Distribution

Answer 7

Negotiate in order to distribute the costs and benefits in an equitable way and produce a satisfying relationship

Question 8

Dissatisfaction

Answer 8

If the relationship becomes inequitable, there will be a high perceived unfairness leading to low satisfaction

Question 9

Realignment

Answer 9

If the costs and benefits are renegotiated and realigned to ensure equal profit then the relationship is maintained

Question 10

Culture bias

Answer 10

-Aumer-Ryan
-Culturally differences between the link between equity and satisfaction
-Individualist culture considered their relationship to be the most satisfying when it’s equitable
-Collectivist culture considered their relationship to be the most satisfying when they were over benefiting
-True of both men and women

-Suggests that the theory of equity is not fundamental to human behavior

-Theory is culturally relative to individualist cultures and is therefore limited

Question 11

Individual differences

Answer 11

-Huseman
-Some people are less sensitive to equity than others
-Benevolents = prepared to contribute more to the relationship than what they get out of it
-Entitleds = believe they deserve to be over benefitted without having any feelings of guilt

-Equity is not a universal law of interaction, there are dispositional differences which make people not seek profit for a satisfying relationship

Question 12

Supporting research

Answer 12

-Utne
-A self report survey of 118 recently married couples aged 16-45 who had been together for at least 2 years before marriage
-Couples who saw their relationship as being equitable were more satisfied than those who felt they were over/under benefiting