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AQA Psychology - equity theory of relationships
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- Relationships
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Notes created by an A-level psychology private tutor + A* student. All topic notes for Equity theory of relationships AQA Psychology A-level
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Rela onships lesson 6- Theories of roman c rela onships: Equity theory- Walster (1978)This is an economic theory of roman c rela onships. Equity means fairness.
Rela onship success is based on “perceived fairness.” Equity Theory is an extension of Social
Exchange Theory but argues that rather than simply trying to maximise rewards/minimise loses,
couples will experience sa sfac on in their rela onship if there is an equal ra o of rewards to losses
between both the partners: i.e. there is equity/fairness.
Rela onships which lack “equity” can lead to under-sa sfac on either because of partners over or
under-bene ng.
Consequences of inequity
If one partner is bene ng from more pro t than the other, then both partners are likely to feel
unsa s ed. If one partner’s reward:loss ra o is far greater than their partners they may experience
guilt or shame (they are giving nothing and ge ng lots in return). If one partner’s reward:loss ra o is
far lower than their partners they may experience anger or resentment (they are giving a lot and
ge ng li le in return).
A partner who feels that they are receiving less pro t in an inequitable rela onship may respond by
either working hard to make the rela onship more equitable, or by shi ing their own percep on of
rewards and costs to jus fy the rela onship con nuing.
When there is a lack of equity, one partner over-bene ts and the other under-bene ts from the
rela onship, and (according to equity theory) this is a recipe for dissa sfac on and unhappiness.
Both over-bene ts and under-bene ts are examples of inequity although it is the under-bene ted
partner who is likely to feel the greatest dissa sfac on in the form of anger, hos lity, resentment and
humilia on. The over bene ted partner will likely feel guilt discomfort and shame.
Thus sa sfac on is about perceived fairness.
For example, imagine a rela onship in which one partner works night shi s and therefore cannot
cook children's dinner.
A precisely equal distribu on of domes c chores would probably not be seen as a fair by either
partner.
The equity in such a rela onship may well come from the compensa ons that the night shi partner
could o er in other areas or from the sa sfac ons that the other partner gains.
Sa sfying rela onships are marked by nego a ons to ensure equity, and that rewards are
distributed fairly not necessarily equally between the partners. This inevitably involves making trade-
o s with each other.
, Changes in perceived equity
What makes us most dissa s ed is a change in the level of perceived equity as me goes on.
For example, at the start of a rela onship it may feel perfectly natural to contribute more than you
receive.
But if the rela onship develops in such a way that you con nue to put more into the rela onship and
get less out of it, this will not feel as sa sfying as it did in the early days.
Ways of dealing with “inequity”: Ha ield and Rapson (2011) suggest that this can be achieved in
three di erent ways:
Restora on of actual equity – Voluntarily pu ng things right- Individuals can restore equity by
voluntarily se ng things right or by urging their partners to do so.
Restora on of psychological equity – distor on of percep on – someone convinces themselves that
the rela onship is actually fair– Couples in inequitable rela onships can distort reality
and convince themselves that things are perfectly fair just the way they are.
Leave the rela onship physically or emo onally –(dis nc on between physical and emo onal) If
couples are unable to restore equity in their rela onship, they can leave it – This can be physically
(i.e. divorce) or emo onally (i.e. no longer having feelings for their partner).
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