Equity theory

• Equity theory - Walster et al.

  One of the greatest weaknesses of social exchange theory is that the theory ignores the need that most couples have for fairness or equity in their relationships

  Equity theory says people strive to achieve this fairness in their relationships. 

  Any kind of inequity can make people feel distressed.
• The role of equity

  Equity doesn’t = Equality 

  Equity = fairness (a very subjective opinion)

  According to Walster et al. what matters most with equity is that both partners’ level of profit is roughly the same.

  Profits = Rewards minus costs 

  An equitable relationship is one where both partner’s level of profit (their rewards minus costs) are roughly the same

  An equal relationship would be one where the level of costs and rewards have to be the same
• Equity and equality

  It’s not the size of amount of the rewards or costs in a relationship that matter: it’s the ratio of the two

  So if one person thinks they are putting in less, the relationship will still be judged to be equitable if they think they are also getting out less. And vice versa
• Equity and equality

  In this example, the division of labour and therefore the relationship is not equal because if it were that wouldn’t be fair to either partner. 

  The equity in this relationship comes from the compensations (the rewards) that the disabled partner offers in other areas, and the satisfaction that the other partner gains from this

  Satisfying relationships are marked by negotiations to ensure equity, the fair distribution of rewards between the two partners. 

  This by design involves making trade offs
• Equity and inequity in marriages

  During child-rearing years, wives often felt under-benefited and husbands over-benefited. Creating a dip in marital satisfaction (Schafer and Keith, 1980)

  During honeymoon and empty-nest stage, both partners were more likely to perceive equality and feel satisfied in their marriage

  Byers and Wang (2004): Couples in equitable relationships are less likely to risk extramarital affairs and have longer lasting relationships
• Consequences of inequity

  Equity theory predicts a strong correlation between perceived inequity and level of dissatisfaction in both the underbenefitted and overbenefitted partner.
• Dealing with inequity

  Hatfield and Rapson (2011): Equality can be restored by:

  1. Restoration of actual equality = ind. voluntarily set things right or urge their partner to do so

  2. Restoration of psychological equality: ind. distort reality and convince themselves that things are perfect as they are

  3. Removing yourself from the inequality = can be physical (e.g. divorce) or emotional (e.g. falling out of love)
• Key study: Stafford and Canary (2011)

  Procedure:

  • Over 200 married couples completed measures of equality and relationship satisfaction.
  • Each spouse answered Qs about their use of maintenance strategies such as assurances (e.g. emphasising attraction, commitment, sharing tasks) and positivity (optimistic communication)
• Key study: Stafford and Canary (2011)

  Findings:

  Spouses who felt their relationship was equitable showed the most satisfaction, followed by over-benefited partners

  Under-benefited husbands reported significantly lower levels of relationship maintenance strategies

  Spouses who were treated more equitably tended to be happier and more likely to behave in ways that contributed to their spouse’s sense of equality and happiness.
• AO3 - Gender differences

  Women perceived themselves as more under-benefited and less over-benefited.

  • They are

  more disturbed by being under-benefited than men (DeMaris et al.)

  • Women feel

  more guilt in response to being over-benefited (Sprecher)

  • Greater focus on relationship make them

  more sensitive to injustices and more likely to react negatively to exploitation.
• AO3 - Cultural differences

  Equality less important in non-western cultures.

  Aumer-Ryan et al. (2006): In all cultures studied, equality in marriage was felt to be important BUT different cultures differed in how equitable their relationships were

  Individualistic: Both genders were found to be happiest in equitable relationships

  Collectivist: Both genders were found to be happiest when they were overbenefitting (inequitable)

  This suggests equity is not universal