AO1

• what is equity theory?

  claims that people are most comfortable when what they get out of a relationship is roughly equal to what they put in.
• equity is not equality

  • It is not about the number of rewards and costs but rather the balance between them 
  • Perception of equity in a relation changes over time – in the beginning its normal for many to put in more than they receive but if it carries on for too long this will cause dissastisfaction 
  • The equity within a relationship can be changed if one partner puts in more effort or if the inequity becomes a norm 
• What is the equity theory?


  It suggests that people are concerned about the fairness in a relationship
• How is equity achieved in a relationship according to the equity theory?

  Equity is achieved when people feel like they get what they deserve from their relationship
• What is the winning formula of fairness in relationships according to the equity theory?

  The winning formula is when one partner's benefits minus their costs equals the other partner's benefits minus their costs
• What happens if one partner perceives the relationship as unfair?

  They will feel dissatisfied regardless of whether they are over-benefiting or under-benefiting
• How do individuals feel when they receive more benefits than they contribute in a relationship?

  They will feel guilty and ashamed
• What emotions do individuals experience when they believe they contribute a lot but receive little in return?

  They will feel angry or resentful
• How does the equity theory relate to the social exchange theory?

  It is an extension of the social exchange theory
• What is the central assumption of the equity theory?

  People are most comfortable when receiving what they believe to be what they ‘deserve’ in a relationship
• stafford and canary

  • Over 200 married couples answered questions to measure te equity in their relationship. They were asked about division of tasks and chores and level of positivity as well as strategies to provide assurances of love and loyalty or demonstrations of affection. 
  • They discovered that satisfaction was higher in relationships which couples believed they were equitable 
  • The next group of highest satisfaction was those who over benefited and the least satisfied couples were those who under benefited 
• Hatfield and Rapson 

  They saw that couples perception of equity changed depending on the stage of the relationship- in the early days, fairness and equity plays a more important role whereas in long-term relationships day-to-day rewards pale in comparison as they no longer keep a record of costs and benefits 
• Rapson 

  • Rapson (2001) suggested that restoration of equity in relationships can be achieve in 3 different ways 
  • Restoration of actual equity 
  • Restoration of psychological equity 
  • If couples are unable to restore equity in their relationship, they can leave it – can be physically or emotionally. Divorce/leave and emotionally disassociate