Equity Theory

• Equity Theory


  When the relationship is based on fairness
• Role of Equity

  • Both partners level of profit is equal
  • Where there is a lack of equity one person overbenefits while the other underbenefits
  • The overbenefitted partner will feel guilt and shame
  • Satisfaction is about perceived fairness
• Equity and Equality

  • It is not about the size of the costs of the rewards but its about the ratio of the two
  • If you put a lot into a relationship but you get out a lot then you are likely to feel satisfied
  • If someone is disabled they may not be able to help with domestic chores however they may compensate by offering something else to the partner
• AO3 Equity Theory: Research Support

  • Research into real life romantic relationships provide research support when compared to SET
  • 118 recently married couples aged 16-45 measuring equity through the use of self report scales
  • Researchers found that the couples who perceived the relationship as equitable were more satisfied than couples who saw themselves as over-benefitting or under-benefitting within the relationship
  • Supports the case that equity is important within relationships increasing its validity
• AO3 Equity Theory: Biased to heterosexual relationships

  • Biased towards heterosexual relationships
  • The theory may not be able to fully account for same sex relationships which limits its validity as a universal explanation
  • The age ranges for which equity theory is based tends to be narrow and it may not fully account for younger or more senior relationships limiting its external validity to the wider population
  • Not a holistic explanation for how all romantic relationships operate
• AO3 Equity Theory: Culturally Biased

  • Ignores cultural differences of how other cultures operate in romantic relationships
  • Individualistic cultures were more likely to see their relationships as satisfying when they deemed their relationship as equitable
  • Collectivist cultures were most satisfied when they felt they were over benefitting and this was true across both genders
  • This suggests equity theory is cannot be applied universally
  • Therefore the theory is limited in its validity as it cannot account for cultural differences that exist
• AO3 Equity Theory: Individual Differences

  • Individual differences also exist which equity theory cannot fully account for as it assumes everyone is concerned with achieving fairness
  • Some partners are prepared to contribute more to the relationship than they get out
  • Others believe they deserve to be over benefitting and accept this without any guilt
  • Equity is not a global feature of all romantic relationships