equity theory

• equity theory 


  • developed in response to criticisms of the social exchange theory… ​
  • Which ignores the issue of equity in a relationship​
  • The term equity means fairness. ​
  • What matters most within a relationship in terms of equity is that both partners level of profit (rewards-costs) is roughly the same. ​
  • This is not the same as equality where levels of costs and rewards have to be exactly the same i.e. equal for each partner.
• inequity 


  partner over-benefits and the other under-benefits from the relationship there is a lack of equity…​which is a recipe for dissatisfaction and unhappiness. ​the over-benefitted partner will likely feel guilt, discomfort and shame. ​The under-benefitted partner is likely to feel the greatest dissatisfaction in the form of anger, hostility, resentment and humiliation. ​= satisfaction in the relationship is about perceived fairness. ​
• restoring perceived inequity 


  1. changing amount we put into a relationship ​
  2. changing amount we demand from the relationship​
  3. The change could be a cognitive one as well- we may just change what we perceive to be a cost. E.g. if untidiness was considered to be a cost to begin with it now becomes the norm
• Equity theory


  • Equity can change over the course of a relationship
• One study surveyed 100s of married couples of all ages
• Participants who felt their marriages were inequitable because of an unfair division of domestic responsibilities were identified
• During the child rearing years

  Wives often reported feeling under-benefitted and husbands over-benefitted
• As a result of wives feeling under-benefitted and husbands over-benefitted


  Marital satisfaction tended to dip
• During the honeymoon period (when newly married) and empty nest stages (when children have left home)


  Both husbands and wives were more likely to perceive equity and to feel satisfaction with their marriages
• This study shows that equity is linked to satisfaction
• summary of equity theory

  • A relationship will maintain if both partners perceive it to be equitable (fair). ​
  • A relationship will breakdown if one of the partners perceives it to be inequitable (unfair). ​
• research support for equity theory

  • Stafford and Canary (2006) ​
  • Asked over 200 married couples to complete measures of equity and relationship satisfaction. ​
  • Findings revealed satisfaction was highest for spouses who perceived their relationships to be equitable​
  • followed by over-benefited partners​
  • lowest satisfaction for under-benefited partners. ​
  • These findings are consistent with predictions from equity theory. ​
• criticism of individual differences 


  • A criticism is that Equity theory ignores individual differences in relationships​
  • Research suggests not all partners are concerned about achieving equity in a relationship.  ​
  • Some partners are known as benevolents ​
  • they are prepared to contribute more to a relationship than they receive​
  • Some are entitleds who believe they deserve to be over benefitted (without feeling guilty)​
  • This shows the equity theory is not a universal explanation and may therefore lack validity as it does not apply to everyone​
• criticism of gender bias

  • equity theory is beta gender biased as differences between genders are ignored. ​
  • It has been found that females are more concerned with inequity than males. ​
  • One study which supports this criticism investigated whether marital inequity is associated with later marital disruption. ​
  • In a sample of 1500 couples it was found that if females sense being under-benefited, the risk of divorce increases. ​
  • However, the findings were not the same for men​
  • Therefore, Equity theory is more applicable to females than males. ​
• a03 commentary - types of relationship

  it has been assumed equity theory is applicable to all types of relationships

  • However, a criticism of the theory is that we should distinguish between different types of relationships. ​
  • Research shows equity is very important in work/friendship relationships…​
  • but not as important in romantic relationships.​
  • Critics have questioned the link between equity and satisfaction of romantic relationships.​
  • This means the theory may lack validity as it may not be an accurate explanation of romantic relationships.​