equity theory

• equity theory claims that people are most satisfied when the benefits of a relationship match what they put in
• An equitable relationship should be one where a partner's benefits minus their costs is equal to their benefits minus their costs.
• Relationships lacking equity are characterised by distinct types of dissatisfaction

  over benefited feel guilt, pity, shame

  under benefited feel anger, sadness, resentment
• Walster et al ( 1978 ) developed the equity theory
• The equity theory suggests that people want to achieve fairness in their relationship and inequity causes distress
• Inequity is when one person gives a lot and gets little back, or vice versa
• Equity is based on a persons perceived inputs and outputs
• Walster ( 1978 ) Principles of equity theory

  Profit

  Distribution

  Dissatisfaction

  Realignment
• ET Profit - rewards are maximised and costs minimised
• ET Distribution - Trade offs and compensations are negotiated to achieve fairness in a relationship
• ET Dissatisfaction - The greater the degree of perceived unfairness, the greater the sense of dissatisfaction
• ET Realignment - If restoring equity is possible, maintenance will continue, it attempts to realign equity
• A partner holds subjective views on the relative inputs and outputs of themselves and their partner
• If we perceive inequity in our relationship we try to restore it by:

  putting in more / less

  changing the amount you demand from it

  changing perception of inputs / outputs
• ET AO3. There is research support for the Equity theory. Stafford and Canary ( 2006 ) gave questionnaires to over 200 married couples. They were asked about ways they maintain their relationships. It was found that partners that perceiving their relationship as fair and balanced, followed by those who over benefited, experience the most satisfaction. And those under benefiting showed the lowest levels of satisfaction.

  This shows that the theory is applicable to real life.
• ET AO3. There is more research support. Utne et al ( 1984 ) used self report scales to measure equity and satisfaction in 59 recently married couples aged 16 - 45 who had been together for 2 + years. 

  It was found that partners rating relationships as more equitable were also more satisfied.

  This shows evidence for the equity theory.
• ET AO3. There are gender differences in the equity theory. Women may focus on relationships more and value what is happening in them.

  Sprecher ( 1992 ) found that women tend to be more disturbed when they are under benefitting from relationships, and feel more guilt when over benefitting. DeMaris ( 1998 ) found that women are more focused on relationships, and therefore more sensitive to injustices.

  This shows that equity theory is not equally applicable to all genders.

  However this claim shows alpha bias as it amplifies differences between men and women.
• ET AO3. There are cultural differences in the equity theory.

  Aumer-Ryan et al ( 2006 ) claims that the concept of equity is more important in Western cultures than non Western cultures. Men and women from collectivist cultures claimed to be the most satisfied when they were over benefiting, not when the relationship was fair. 

  This shows that equity theory’s claim that relationships are most satisfactory when they are fair is not applicable everywhere.  
• ET AO3. There are methodological issues in research around equity theory.

  Clark and Mills ( 1982 ) claim it is not possible to assess equity in loving relationships as the input is emotional and unquantifiable.

  This shows that research around equity theory may not be valid.