Equity Theory

• Equity Theory


  Walster et al

  • Economic theory on the commitment to a relationship being dependent on equity
  • Both partners level of profit must be roughly the same, not the amount of rewards/costs, but the ratio
• Lack of equity


  One partner overbenefits and the other underbenefits -> dissatisfaction

  • Over benefitted partner - guilt, discomfort, shame
  • Under benefitted partner - anger, hostility, resentment

  Strong correlation between perceived inequality and dissatisfaction
• Consequences of inequity


  1. Changes in perceived equity - makes us the most dissatisfied
  2. Dealing with inequity - underbenefitted partners work hard to make the relationship equitable, the more unfair the harder they work, as long as it feels salvageable

  Can be cognitive and behavioural:

  • Change behaviour to make it more equal
  • Revise perception of rewards and costs
  • What was a cost is now accepted as the norm
• Eval : Strength


  Utne et al carried out a survey of 118 recently married couples measuring equity with self-report scales. They found that couples who considered the relationship equitable were more satisfied, increasing the validity of equity theory with research support.
• Eval : Weakness


  Aumer-Ryan er al found there to be cultural differences between equity and satisfaction, with couples in collectivist cultures being most satisfied when they were overbenefitting, but individualist couples most satisfied when equitable. Suggests the theory is limited as it cannot be applied to other cultures.
• Eval : Weakness


  Huseman et al suggested that some people are less sensitive to equity than others, with some people being prepared to contribute more and some people believing they deserve to be overbenefitted. Suggests that equity theory is not necessarily a global feature of all romanitc relationships as there is individual differences.