Equity theory

• Developing SET: Equity theory is also an economic model, with all of the assumptions of SET, however Hatfield suggests this is missing the factor if fairness or equality 
• Equality: People are more satisfied in a relationship if they feel the balance of rewards and costs between partners is similar or they are getting what they deserve

  • Balance: both partners profits minus loss should be the same even if they are different profits and losses. For example one partner may put a lot into a relationship while getting a lot out of it, while the other gets much less out of it, but puts far less in
• Over-benefits: if one partner gets more overall profit they will feel personal shame and pity towards the other partner and may feel guilty 
• Under benefits: if one partner gets more overall costs they will feel resentful and ultimately will become angry towards the other partner 
• Change in perspective: over time what is considered unfair may change, early in relationship attraction could be seen as more important than equity. However Hatfield suggests that in the later stages of relationship, successful couples are less likely to “keep score”
• Utne et al provides evidence for equity in marriage. Utne used a self report method on newly married couples who had been together for at least two years. The questionnaire recorded their perceived level of equality and measure of their relationship stability and distress. Partners who felt they were treated with more equity thought the relationship was more stable, and were happier in it. Utne also found that there are no sex differences in concern for equality. This suggests that as predicted by the equity theory, feeling of equality are important in the stability of relationships 
• Brosnan and de Waal 1:

  There is research evidence which supports equity theory from animal studies. Brosnan and de Waal observed the behaviour of monkeys in an attempt to find evidence for the role of equity and fairness in primate relationships. When female monkeys were playing a game in which they received a highly desirable prize of grapes, the researchers noted that females became extremely angry if they were denied this reward.
• Brosnan and de Waal 2:

  If a different monkey, who had not participated in the game, was given the prize of grapes instead of the female participating in a bid to win them, the monkeys demonstrated aggression towards the experimenter. In a later study, Brosnan et al discovered that chimps were more upset by an injustice in a casual relationship with another primate than in a more intimate relationship. The results of these studies are important since they suggest that explanations for romantic relationships, including equity theory, have an evolutionary basis. 
• Va Yperen and Buunk + Hussman et al 1:

  There may be an issue with determining cause and effect with equity theory. Some researchers suggest that dissatisfaction may be the cause, not the consequence of perceived inequity. However Va Yperen and Buunk studied married couples and found that dissatisfaction in inequitable relationships increased with time, not the other way around. Furthermore there are also some important individual differences in perception of equity.
• Va Yperen and Buunk + Hussman et al 2: 

  According to Hussman et al, there are people who are less sensitive to inequity and are prepared to give more in the relationships, termed benevolents whereas people, entitled, believe they deserve to over benefit from the relationship and don't feel too guilty about this. This means that the notions of equity theory cannot be reliably applied to all people with the expectation that it will be able to explain their romantic relationships with confidence 
• Gender bias 1:

  There are important gender differences in perception of relationship fairness that equity theory ignores. Researchers such as Sprecher found that women tend to be more disturbed when under benefitting from relationships and feel more guilt when over benefitting whilst DeMaris et al suggests that women are more focused on relationships, and so are more sensitive to injustices.
• Gender bias 2:

  These results indicate a clear gender difference between males and females and highlight the importance of conducting research into males and females separately to avoid gender bias. However this may then result in an alpha bias and exaggerate differences between males and females that do not actually exist.