equity theory

• what is equity theory?

  an economic theory which suggests maximising rewards and minimising costs is important for satisfaction in relationships BUT fairness (equity) is the most important factor which ensures satisfaction
• an equitable relationship is where...


  both partners have the same level of profit
• what does a lack of equity lead to for both partners?

  over-benefitted partner - feel guilt, discomfort + shameunder-benefitted partner - anger, hostility, resentment + humiliation
• does equity require both partners to be treated the same? explain your answer

  no - what is rewarding to one may not be to the other so what each gives and takes from the relationship is different e.g. one cleans the home, one tidies the garden
• what is equity ensured by?

  negotiations between partners + making sure costs and benefits are distributed fairly so partners make trade-offs e.g. you mow the lawn, i'll do the shopping (MEANDWHOBRO)
• when does dissatisfaction in a relationship arise?


  when one partner puts a lot into it but perceives that they're getting little from it
• what factors does equity predict a direct correlation between?

  the greater the perceived inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction
• what does dissatisfaction depend on?

  perceived inequity (how the partner views rewards + costs in the relationship is different to another person's view)
• what does much dissatisfaction arise from?

  changes in perception of equity as time goes on - start of the relationship = seems reasonable to put more into it than you're getting out of it but as this continues with the relationship, it becomes dissatisfying
• when dealing with inequity, which partner restores equity and under what belief do they attempt to do this?

  the under-benefitted partnerthey believe it's possible and that the relationship can be salvaged
• give two ways equity can be restored

  putting more effort into fairness e.g. with negotiationmore unfair the relationship feels, harder they work to restore equitychanging the way they think about the relationship e.g. changing perceptions of reward and cost - what they saw as a cost is now seen as a norm (abuse, thoughtlessness) which makes the relationship feel equitable, even with no change occurring
• give a strength of equity theory

  :) valid explanation supported by research evidence - prediction that equity leads to satisfaction e.g. Utne et al found couples in a self-report survey who considered their relationship equitable were more satisfied than those who saw themselves as over/under-benefitted
• give two weaknesses of equity theory


  :( Utne et al research uses self-report - social desirability causes people to lie and say they're happy + research is correlational so there could be a third factor affecting both e.g. socioeconomic status - rich people have less costs to count as they can pay for services:( based on incorrect assumptions so invalid - central assumption = we have a need for fairness in relationships incorrect according to research e.g. Huseman et al describe two personality types: benevolents (prepared to contribute more than they get) and entitleds (believe they deserve to be over-benefitted + accept it without guilt) so there are individual differences in the need for equity