Equity Theory

• Equity Theory: Assumptions

  According to the SET, relationship satisfaction is largely a function of an individual's overall cost and benefits- though this can be seen as a selfish viewpoint and isn't applicable to everyday life- as instead greater satisfaction is achieved when what you put into a relationship is broadly equivalent to what you get out of a relationship. Hatfield developed the Equity Theory stating that equity between both partners should be equivalent.
• Inequality and Dissatisfaction: 1

  The Equity Theory extends the underlying beliefs of the SET, their central assumption being that people are most comfortable when they perceive that they are getting what they deserve from a given relationship. An equitable relationship is one where one partner's benefits minus costs equals their partner's benefits minus costs.
• Inequality and Dissatisfaction: 2

  Relationships which lack equity are associated with distinct types of dissatisfaction- people who feel over-benefitted may experience pity, guilt, shame. If under-benefitted they may experience anger, sadness, resentment. The greater the inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction and the stress- and the more motivated people are to alter the actions.
• A Timetable of Equity and Inequity in Marriages: 1

  Schafer and Keith surveyed hundreds of married couples, varying in age, noting who felt their marriage was inequitable due to an unfair division of domestic responsibilities. During child-rearing years, many wives reported feeling under-benefitted and husbands over-benefitted. As a result, martial satisfaction tended to drop. However, during the honeymoon and empty-nest stage, both husbands and wives were more likely to perceive equity and feel marital satisfaction.
• A Timetable of Equity and Inequity in Marriages: 2

  Hatfield and Rapson suggest that how concerned couples are about equity is dependent on their relationship stage. In initial stages considerations of rewards/fairness/equity are more important. However, once individuals have become deeply committed they become less concerned over the daily rewards and equity. Happily married couples tend to not keep score of how much they give and gain.
• A Timetable of Equity and Inequity in Marriages: 3

  Couples in equitable relationships are less likely to risk extramarital affairs than other couples, and their relationships are generally longer lasting- Byers and Wang.
• Dealing with Inequity:

  If people perceive inequity in their relationships, they can be motivated to restore it. Hatfield and Rapson suggest it can be achieved in 3 ways: 1) Restoration of actual equity- voluntarily setting things right or urging partner to do so. 2) Restoration of psychological equity- couples in inequitable relationships can distort reality, convincing themselves they are fine as they are. 3) If couples cannot restore equity, they can leave physically (divorce) or emotionally (no longer have feelings for their partner).
• Key Study: Stafford and Canary

  Procedure- asked 200 married couples to complete measures of equity and use of relationship maintenance strategies such as assurances (emphasising their affection and commitment to the relationship), sharing tasks, and positive communication.
• Key Study: Stafford and Canary

  Findings- revealed that satisfaction was highest for most spouses who perceived their relationship as equitable, followed by over-benefitted partners, and under-benefitted partners. Particularly, under-benefitted husbands reported significantly lower levels of relationship maintenance strategies than equitable and over-benefitted husbands. Meaning the relationship between equity and marital success is complementary- spouses who are treated equitably are happier and more likely to engage in behaviours which contribute to their partner's equity and happiness.
• AO3: Equity Sensitivity

  The theory is based on the 'norm of equity' which assumes everyone is equally sensitive to (in)equity- meaning each individual experiences the same level of tension when they perceive inequity. Huseman et al developed the idea of equity sensitivity which determines the extent an individual will tolerate equity: benevolent (givers and tolerant of under-benefitted inequity); equity sensitives (behave in accordance to the ET); and entitleds (prefer to be over-rewarded). IDA- addresses Determinism
• AO3: Gender Differences in Equity Importance

  DeMaris et al demonstrates that men and women aren't equally affected by inequity. Women tend to perceive themselves as more under-benefitted, and they are more disturbed when under-benefitted than men. Sprecher found women feel more guilt. De Maris et al suggested that due to woman's greater relationship focus, they are more sensitive to injustices and are likely to act negatively if exploited. With increased emphasis on gender equality in modern marriages, women are becoming more vigilant and reactive. IDA- the equity theory is beta bias
• AO3: Cultural Differences in Equity Importance

  Claims equity concept isn't important in non-Western cultures, most research is ethnocentric. Aumer-Ryan et al found that in all cultures, people considered equity as important in their relationships. However, people in different cultures differed on how equitable they considered their relationship. Both men and women from the US claimed to be in equitable relationships. But both men and (especially) women in Jamaica claimed to have least equitable relationships. ET doesn't then explain the development of romantic relationships in all cultures.
• AO3: Supporting Evidence from Non-Human Primates

  Brosan and de Waal did a study using capuchin monkeys, finding that female monkeys became angry if denied the rewards of grapes in return for playing a game. If they saw a monkey that hadn't played the game, but got the reward they got angry and threw food at the researcher. Brosan found that chimpanzees were more upset by injustices in casual relationships than intimate relationships where injustices 'barely caused a ripple'. Implies equity has ancient origins.
• AO3: Problem of Causality

  Although research has established that inequity and dissatisfaction are linked, the nature of the causal relationship is unclear. Clark argues that in most relationships, couples don't think in terms of equity- and if they do it is a sign their relationship is in trouble. This perspective claims that dissatisfaction is the cause of inequity, not the consequence. However Ruunk et al's study found that people in inequitable marriages became less satisfied over the course of a year. Hatfield and Rapson suggest that in failing marriages both processes are operating.
• AO3: Issues and Debates

  Individual Differences- Mills and Clarke argue that it isn't possible to assess equity in terms of romantic relationships, as lots of the input is emotional and unquantifiable. Meaning it may be better to study relationships using an idiographic approach which focuses on the qualitative, subjective experiences rather than the nomothetic approach in attempt to make universal laws.