Theories of Romantic Relationships: Equity theory

What is the role of equity?

Maximising rewards and minimising costs are important but SET fails to take into accounts the need most people have for equity in a relationship.

There term ‘equity’ doesn’t mean ‘equality’ in this theory. It stands for fairness.

What matters most with equity is that both partners level of ‘profit’ (rewards minus costs) are roughly the same.

What is inequity?

Inequity has the potential to cause distress. This happens when one person gives a great deal and gets little in return. However the same is true of those who receive a great deal and give little in return.

Over benefitting and under benefitting are both examples of inequity although it’s the under benefitting partner who is going to feel the greatest satisfaction, in the form of anger, hostility and resentment

The over benefitting person will likely feel guilt, shame and discomfort.

Thus satisfaction is about perceived fairness

What are the consequences of equity?

Problems arise when one partner puts in a great and gets little from it.

A partner who is a subject of inequality will become distressed and dissatisfied with the relationship if it continues in this way.

The greater the perceived inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction: equity theory predicts a strong correlation between the two.

This applies to both the under benefitted and over benefitted partners.

The over benefitting person will likely feel guilt, shame and discomfort. Thus satisfaction is about perceived fairness

Evaluation: Research support

Hatfield (1989) looked at people who felt over-or under-benefited.

The under-benefited felt angry and deprived, while the over-benefited felt guilty and uncomfortable.

Supports the equity theory- pops were dissatisfied.

Evaluation: cultural limitations

Aurner-Ryan found that there are cultural differences between equity and satisfaction.

Couples from individualistic cultures (US) consider relationships to be most satisfying when equitable.

Partners from collectivist cultures (Jamaica) were most satisfied when they were over benefitting.

Equity= imposed Eric

Evaluation: Nomothetic

Not all partners in romantic relationships are concerned about achieving equity. Huseman (1987) suggest that some people are less sensitive to equity than others.

o Benevolents – those who are prepared to contribute more to the relationship than they get out of it.

o Entitleds - those who believe they deserve to over benefit and accept it without feeling distressed or guilty