equity theory

• Stafford and Canary

  Questionnare given to 259 couples

  • measured equity and satisfaction
  • 65% felt equity was there (highest satisfaction)
  • remaining 35% split into over(guilty and uncomfortable) /under benifited (lowest, feeling angru resentful and deprives)
• Equity theory proposes the winning formula of fairness in relationships: one partner’s benefits minus their costs, should equal another partner’s benefits minus their costs.
• • If one partner perceives a relationship as unfair, they are going to be dissatisfied with it regardless of whether they are over-benefitting or under-benefitting.
  • According to the Equity Theory, a person who gets more benefits out of relationships than they put in will feel guilt and shame,
  • those who think they put a lot in but get very little back will be angry and resentful. The longer this feeling of unfairness (lack of equity) goes on, the more likely a couple is to break up.
• • perception of equity:


  changes over time.

  • many people to put more than they receive at the beginning of a relationship, if too long, it will lead to dissatisfaction.
• dealing with inequity

  a partner’s way of dealing with inequity also changes with time.

  • What seemed unfair in the beginning may become a norm as relationships progress,
  • the partner who gives more may start working even harder on the relationship until the balance is restored.