Equity Theory

• Equity Theory (Walster 1978) is an economic theory of relationships
• Equity theory (Walster 1978) states that each partner needs to experience a balance in costs and rewards
• Equity Theory (Walster 1978) states that relationship satisfaction stems from similarity between both partners efforts and rewards
• Equity Theory (Waltser 1978) states that over benefitting in a relationship leads to guilt
• Equity Theory (Walster 1978) states that under benefitting in a relationship leads to resentment towards the other partner
• Equity Theory (Walster 1978) states that inequity between effort and rewards leads to dissatisfaction
• Hatfield and Rapson (2011) suggests solutions to inequity such as Restoring equity, changing expectations, and leaving the relationship
• Equity theory (Walster 1978) states that a successful relationship is not focused on the size of rewards and costs but rather ensuring they are similar to each other
• Equity theory (Walster 1978) strength; real world application as finding solutions to issues with equity has been applied to couples therapy in practice
• Equity theory (Waltser 1978) strength; research support from Mary Utne (1984) used self report scales to measure relationship satisfaction for 118 recently married participants aged 16-45 who had been together for more than 2 years prior and found more equitable relationships were rated as more satisfactory HOWEVER this study used self report > social desirability bias
• Equity Theory (Waltser 1978) weakness; culturally relative as Aumer-Ryan (2007) found participants in a collectivist culture (Jamaica) were more likely to gain satisfaction from over benefitting from relationships than participants in an individualist culture (USA)
• Equity theory (Waltser 1978) weakness; individual difference as Huseman (1987) found there are two types of people in relationships; benevolents who gain satisfaction from under benefitting and entitleds who gain satisfaction from over benefitting
• Equity Theory (waltser 1978) weakness; costs and benefits are unscientific as they are not concrete and measurable concepts