AQA Psychology A Level - Equity theory

What is equity theory?

It is an economic theory that explains the importance of the balance of rewards (max.) and costs (min.)

What is the role of equity?

Fairness

Walster (1978) - what matters most with equity is that both partners' level of profit is roughly the same

What happens when there is a lack of equity?

One partner over-benefits whilst the other under-benefits --> dissatisfaction and unhappiness

Which partner in inequity is the most dissatisfied?

The partner who is under-benefiting and they will express this through anger, hostility, resentment and humiliation

How does an over-benefiting partner act in inequity?

They will likely feel guilt, discomfort and shame

What is a key part of equitable relationships?

Compensations and negotiations --> trade offs

If one partner over-benefits in one way, they may put more effort in others to make up for it

What is the relationship between inequity and dissatisfaction?

The greater the inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction

What are the consequences of inequity?

- changes in perceived equity

- dealing with inequity

What is changes in perceived equity?

e.g. at the start of the relationship it may feel perfectly natural to contribute more than you receive but later on, if you are still contributing more than you receive, it will not feel as satisfying

What is dealing with inequity?

The more unfair the relationship feels, the harder they will work to restore equity (a strong correlation)

Cognitive rather than behavioural

Will revise their perceptions of rewards and costs so that the relationship feels more equitable to them, even if nothing actually changes

Costs may become the norm

What is a strength of equity theory?

There are supporting research evidence - Utne et al. (1984)

- survey of 118 recently-married couples

- measuring equity with 2 self-report scales

- aged between 16 - 45 years and have been together for more than 2 years before marrying

- found that couples who considered their relationship equitable were more satisfied than those who saw themselves as over-benefitting or under-benefitting

--> confirms a central prediction, increasing its validity

What is a limitation of generalisability of equity theory?

Cultural influences

- assumes that equity is a universal feature of romantic relationships across all cultures

Ryan et al (2007)

- found that cultural differences in the link between equity and satisfaction

- compared couples from collectivist culture (needs of group are first) with those from an individualist culture (needs of individual come first)

- individualist couples considered their relationships most satisfying when the relationship was equitable whereas collectivist couples were most satisfied when they were over-benefitting (true of both men and women)

--> cannot account for the cultural difference

What is the problem of applying this theory to all couples (even in the same culture)?

Individual differences - Huseman et al (1987)

- suggests that some people are less sensitive to equity than others

- some partners are benevolents, who are prepared to contribute MORE to the relationship than they get out of it

- others are entitleds who believe they deserve to be over-benefitted and contribute LESS without feeling distressed or guilty

--> not a universal law of social interaction and lack of ecological validity

What is a weakness of the unitary type of relationship?

There are different types of relationships - Clark and Mills (2011)

- concluded that we should distinguish between different types of relationships

- research support for equity playing a central role in casual friendships, business/work relationships and acquaintanceships

- mixed evidence for equity in romantic relationships

- mixed on relationships between equity and satisfaction

--> not applicable to all relationships (low validity)