Equity theory

• What does Equity Theory ignore regarding relationships?

  Important gender differences in perception of relationship fairness
• What is a weakness of romantic relationships according to the study material?

  Not all partners are concerned about achieving equity.
• According to DeMaris et al., how are men and women affected by inequity in relationships?

  Women perceive themselves as more under-benefited and are more disturbed by it
• Who suggested that some people are less sensitive to equity in relationships?

  Huseman (1987)
• What are the three types of people identified by Huseman regarding equity sensitivity?

  • Benevolents: contribute more than they receive and tolerate unrewarded inequity.
  • Entitleds: believe they deserve to over benefit and feel unsatisfied by inequity.
  • Equity sensitives: behave according to equity theory and feel tension with inequity.
• What characterizes Benevolents in romantic relationships?

  Benevolents are prepared to contribute more than they get and tolerate unrewarded inequity.
• How do Entitleds perceive their contributions in relationships?

  Entitleds believe they deserve to over benefit and do not feel guilty about it.
• What do Equity sensitives experience when faced with inequity?

  Equity sensitives experience tension when faced with inequity.
• Why is the concept of ‘equity sensitivity’ important in relationships?

  It determines how much inequity an individual will tolerate and shows individual differences.
• What conclusion can be drawn about equity theory based on the study material?

  Equity theory is not applicable or generalizable to all relationships.
• Why are women more sensitive to injustices and inequity in relationships?

  Because they are more focused on relationships
• What is the implication of women feeling more guilt when over-benefitting in relationships?

  It indicates a heightened sensitivity to fairness and equity
• What are the implications of gender differences in perceptions of relationship fairness?

  • Women are more vigilant and reactive to inequity
  • Highlights the need for separate research on males and females
  • Avoids gender bias in understanding relationship dynamics
• What is a potential consequence of conducting research into males and females separately?

  It may result in an alpha bias exaggerating differences that do not exist
• What is the term used to describe the exaggeration of differences between genders in research?

  Alpha bias
• What is a potential weakness of the concept of equity in relationships?

  It may not be as important in non-western cultures.
• What did Aumer-Ryan's research find regarding equity in relationships across cultures?

  Equity was key in relationships/marriage in all cultures studied.
• How did perceptions of equity differ between men and women in the U.S. and Jamaica according to Aumer-Ryan's findings?

  Both U.S. men and women claimed to be in the most equitable relationships, while those in Jamaica perceived themselves to be in the least equitable.
• Why is the cultural difference in relationship satisfaction significant?

  Individualistic cultures prefer equitable relationships, while collectivist cultures are more satisfied if over-benefited.
• What conclusion can be drawn about the importance of equity in relationships across different cultures?

  • Cultures agree that equity is important.
  • There are significant differences in perceptions of fairness and equity in relationships.
• What is a strength of the equity theory?

  There is supporting evidence from the study of nonhuman primates
• What did Brosnan and de Waal find in their study of capuchin monkeys?

  Female capuchin monkeys became angry when denied grapes for playing a game
• What behavior did the capuchin monkeys exhibit when another monkey received grapes instead of them?

  They hurled food at the experimenter out of anger
• Why are the findings of Brosnan and de Waal significant in relation to human behavior?

  They show similar findings to those of Hatfield & Walster regarding dissatisfaction from lack of equity
• What is the conclusion drawn about the equity theory based on the evidence from primates and humans?

  The equity theory is reliable and has ancient origins