Equity Theory
- Created by: 0045253
- Created on: 10-06-22 12:32
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- Equity Theory
- Suggests that people are concerned about fairness in a relationship.
- Equity: Both partners profit (rewards-cost) = same. Relationship will be maintained and satisfied.
- Under-benefitting: One person gives a great deal and receives little Will feel anger/hostility
- Over-benefitting: Benefiting person will feel guilt/discomfort.
- Equity does not mean equality. What is considered fair in a relationship is the balance between rewards and costs.
- STRENGTH
- P - Supporting evidence,Stafford
& Canary (2006): Role of equity in marriage satisfaction
- E - Over
200 married couples answered questions on equity in their relationship and satisfaction. with their relationship
- E - Satisfaction
was higher in relationships which couples believed were equitable.
- L - Shows there is a positive relationship between relationship satisfaction and equity as suggested by equity theory.
- E - Satisfaction
was higher in relationships which couples believed were equitable.
- E - Over
200 married couples answered questions on equity in their relationship and satisfaction. with their relationship
- P - The equity theory could be applied to
everyday life for example an inequitable relationship could inform couples
therapy.
- E - Hatfield
and Rapson (2011) suggested in failing marriages, partners become preoccupied with the inequities of the relationship which can
lead to relationship breakdown.
- E - Although, Clark (1984) argues that
couples do not think in terms of reward and equity. If they do, she claims, it
is a sign that their marriages are in trouble.
- L - This means ET has practical applications in marriage counselling and prevents breakdown.
- E - Although, Clark (1984) argues that
couples do not think in terms of reward and equity. If they do, she claims, it
is a sign that their marriages are in trouble.
- E - Hatfield
and Rapson (2011) suggested in failing marriages, partners become preoccupied with the inequities of the relationship which can
lead to relationship breakdown.
- P - Supporting evidence,Stafford
& Canary (2006): Role of equity in marriage satisfaction
- WEAKNESS
- P - Culturally biased: There is a possibility
that the concept of equity is not as important in non-Western cultures.
- E - Aumer-Ryan et al. (2006) show the concept of
equity is more important in Western cultures than in Non-Western cultures.
- E - Non-Western
cultures (both men and women) claimed to be most satisfied when over-benefitting in their relationship.
- L - Therefore, this theory cannot be generalised to all cultures.
- E - Non-Western
cultures (both men and women) claimed to be most satisfied when over-benefitting in their relationship.
- E - Aumer-Ryan et al. (2006) show the concept of
equity is more important in Western cultures than in Non-Western cultures.
- P - An
alternative explanation to the equity theory is the investment model.
- E - Rusbult
(1983) found that when people were deciding whether to end a relationship, they
weighed up the rewards and the costs of the relationship and alternatives
available to them.
- E - They also considered how much they had
invested in the relationship.
- L - Therefore, this demonstrates that previous experiences influence our relationships, which the equity model has not accounted for.
- E - They also considered how much they had
invested in the relationship.
- E - Rusbult
(1983) found that when people were deciding whether to end a relationship, they
weighed up the rewards and the costs of the relationship and alternatives
available to them.
- P - Culturally biased: There is a possibility
that the concept of equity is not as important in non-Western cultures.
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