Equity theory

What is equity theory?

Perceived fairness

One partner might put in more to relationship but both satisfied and happy - equity

What is

Perceived fairness

One partner might put in more to relationship but both satisfied and happy - equity

Equity theory

Why was equity theory created?

In response to criticism of social exchnage theory

Is also an economic explanation

Effect of equity

Waltser (1978) says individuals are motivated to achieve fairness + dissatisfied with inequity

Definition of equity differs b/t individuals

Lack of equity means one over benefits and one under benefits, leading to dissatisfaction

overbenefitting = guilt, shame, discomfort

underbenefitting = anger, resentment, hostility

What is

Waltser (1978) says individuals are motivated to achieve fairness + dissatisfied with inequity

Definition of equity differs b/t individuals

Lack of equity means one over benefits and one under benefits, leading to dissatisfaction

overbenefitting = guilt, shame, discomfort

underbenefitting = anger, resentment, hostility

Effect of equity

What does underbenfitting lead to?

anger, resentment, hostility

What is

anger, resentment, hostility

What underbenefitting leads to

What does overbenefitting lead to?

Guilt, shame, discomfort

What is

Guilt, shame, discomfort

What overbenefitting leads to

Definition of equity differs

b/t individuals

What does Walster say about equity?

Ppl motivated to achieve fairness in relationships and dissatisfied by inequity

What is

Ppl motivated to achieve fairness in relationships and dissatisfied by inequity

What Walster (1978) says about equity

According to equity theory, it’s not size or amount of rewards and costs but

the ratio of them thats important

If partner puts in a lot but gets a lot, would be satisfied to maintain relationship

Rewards are fair not

equal in equity theory

Equity comes from

Compensations/negotiations

Satisfactions more active partner gets from their behaviour

What is

Compensations/negotiations

Satisfactions more active partner gets from their behaviour

Where equity comes from

Inequity consequences applies to both

over + under benefitted partners

What is inequity?

Partner puts in a lot but gets little from relationship

What is

Partner puts in a lot but gets little from relationship

Inequity

Consequence of inequity

More perceived inequity = more dissatisfaction

What is

More perceived inequity = more dissatisfaction

Consequence of inequity

What are the 4 principles of equity?

Profit

Distribution

Dissatisfaction

Realignment

What is

Profit

Distribution

Dissatisfaction

Realignment

4 principles of equity

What is profit in equity theory?

Rewards maximised, costs minimised

What is

Rewards maximised, costs minimised

Profit in equity theory

What is distribution?

Trade offs and compensations are negotiated to achieve fairness

What is

Trade offs and compensations are negotiated to achieve fairness

Distribution

What is dissatisfaction?

Higher the degree of perceived inequity, higher the degree of dissatisfaction

What is

Higher the degree of perceived inequity, higher the degree of dissatisfaction

Dissatisfaction

What is realignment?

If restoring equity is possible, maintenance will continue w/ attempts made to realign

What is

If restoring equity is possible, maintenance will continue w/ attempts made to realign

Realignment

What is changes in perceived inequity?

Feels more natural to contribute more than you receive at start of relationship

If relationship continues to develop in this way, will not feel as satisfying as once did

What is

Feels more natural to contribute more than you receive at start of relationship

If relationship continues to develop in this way, will not feel as satisfying as once did

Changes in perceived equity

What is dealing w/ inequity?

People work on relationship + attempt to restore equity as long as they believe is possible to do so

Some ppl cognitively revise perceptions of rewards + costs so relationship feels more equitable, even if nothing changes

→ precursor to why ppl stay in abusive relationship

What is

People work on relationship + attempt to restore equity as long as they believe is possible to do so

Some ppl cognitively revise perceptions of rewards + costs so relationship feels more equitable, even if nothing changes

→ precursor to why ppl stay in abusive relationship

Dealing w/ inequity

What is Sprecher (1992)?

Gender differences in equity

What is Sprecher (1992)?

Gender differences in equity

Sprecher (1992) sample

559 graduates

37% male, 61% female

What is

559 graduates

37% male, 61% female

Sprecher (1992) sample

Sprecher (1992) method

Individual responses to role playing scenarios of inequity

Examining how gender affects response to inequity

What is

Individual responses to role playing scenarios of inequity

Examining how gender affects response to inequity

Sprecher (1992)

Conclusion of Sprecher (1992)

Women more likely to be distressed by inequity

Men more likely to not respond to inequity

What is

Women more likely to be distressed by inequity

Men more likely to not respond to inequity

Conclusion of Sprecher (1992)

Sprecher also found women tend to

feel more guilty over benefitting and more disturbed when under benefitted

Who feel more guilty over benefitting and more disturbed when under benefitted

Women according to Sprecher (1992)

Importance of Sprecher (1992)

Importance of studying men and women seperate BUT can lead to alpha bias

Strength of equity theory

Supporting evidence that it’s more valid than social exchange theory

Strength of equity theory - Research support it’s more valid than social exchange theory

P: Research support it’s more valid than social exchange theory

E: Utne (1984) carried out a survey of 118 recently married couples + measured equity w/ 2 self-report scales. Couples had been together for more than 2 years before marrying. Couples who considered relationship equitable more satisfied than those who saw themselves as under or over benefitting

C: Confirms a central prediction of equity theory = more credibility

2 limitaions of equity theory

-Assumed to be a feature of all relationships

-Research suggests not all relationships are concerned with equity

Limitation of equity theory - Assumed to be a feature of all relationships

P: Assumed to be a feature of all relationships

E: Researchers found several cultural differnces in the link b/t equity + satisfaction. Collectivist culture put needs of others first (happy when under benefitting) individualistic cultures prioritise own needs (happy w/ equity)

I+D: Culture bias

C: Not universal, cant account for cultural differences

Limitation of equity theory - Research suggests not all relationships are concerned with reaching equity

P: Research suggests not all relationships concerned with reaching equity

E: Huseman et al (1987) suggests some less sensitive to equity than others. Some are benevolent (prepared to contribute more than they get out) or entitleds (believe they deserve to be over benefitted + feel no guilt)

C: Equity is not a universal law