Theories of romantic theories- Equity theory

Equity theory

Developed as a response to criticism of SET as it fails to take into account the need that most people have fails to take into account the need that most people have fairness in a relationship

ET- Equity

• Equity means ‘fairness’- Walster says that both partners’ level if profit in a relationship (Rewards minus costs) should be the roughly the same

• Lack of equity means one partner over benefits and the other under benefits, which leads to dissatisfaction

• The underbenefitted partner usually bas the greatest dissatisfaction

ET- Equity and equality

• Rewards and costs do not have to be the same for both partners; a partner who puts a lot into the relationship will be satisfied.

• E.g: differences in earnings, disabilities, children et

ET- Consequences of inequity

• Problems arise when one party puts a lot into the relationship but gets little out of it

• There is a strong positive correlation between perceived inequity and dissatisfaction

ET- Changes in perceived equity

• Greatest dissatisfaction comes from changes in perceived inequity as a relationship develops

• It may seem ok early on but not for extended periods of time

ET- Dealing with inequity

• Under benefitting partners either wok hard to restore equity or they lower their standards so the relationship feels equitable even though nothing has hanged

• It is more often women who will take steps to restore fairness because they are more likely to perceive the inequity (Kitson, 1982)