Relationships

• The equity theory is where one partners benefits and cots roughly equal the other partners; give a littler and receive a little or give a lot and receive a lot
• according to the equity theory, if equity is achieved then a couple are less likely to have extra marital affairs; correlation between equity and satisfaction
• according to the equity theory, at the start of a relationship equity and fairness is the most important but in long term relationships there is less focus on it day to day
• How to resolve inequity?

  1. ACTUAL; try to set things right or urge our partner to do so
  2. PSYCHOLOGICAL; convinced themselves its fine when its not
  3. LEAVE; separate or detach psychologically
• research support of the equity theory?

  UTNE (1984)

  — surveyed 188 married coupled and measured equity with 2 self report scales

  — couples who considered relationships to be equitable were more satisfied that those who considered relationships to be over or under equitable

  — shows equity is important for stability

  however the study is correlation and correlation does not always equal causation and self report techniques can induce social desirability bias
• one limitation of the equity theory?

  individual differences (Huseman et al)

  identified different categories of individuals

  • benevolents; givers - more tolerant of lack of rewards
  • equity sensitives; behave as theory predicts
  • entitled; prefer to be over rewarded - experience dissatisfaction if equitable or under benefitted
• identify one limitation of the equity theory?

  economic theory should not be applied to romantic relationships (Clark and mills)

  exchange occurs between colleagues

  communal - family friends lovers

  • we don’t weigh up costs and rewards in everyday like; they will balance out in the long run
• identify one strength of the equity theory?

  Stafford and canary (2006)

  studied 200 married couples

  • questionnaires; relationship satisfaction and how they maintained their relationships including chores etc.
  • if they perceived their relationship as fair and balanced then they had the most satisfaction, then over benefitted followed by under benefitted
• the investment model of commitment?

  ;

  A)

  B)

  C)

  D)

  
• satisfaction is where there are lots of rewards (companionship, attention, emotional support) and few costs (arguments, time) = high satisfaction
• comparison with alternatives?


  — is there a better alternative to satisfy needs

  — being single or finding a new partner

  = low then satisfaction is high and more likely to stay in current relationship
• investments in investment model ?

  — anything that a person puts into a relationship that will be lost if it ends

  1 intrinsic investments; put in by each individual like time and energy

  2 extrinsic investments; shared things that may be lost like a house, a pet or children

  — the greater the investment, the more likely they are to commit to stay
• commitment in investment model?

  maintenance of relationship is determined by this

  the likelihood that a relationship will persist

  strengthened by satisfaction and investment

  weakened by presence of alternatives