EQUITY THEORY

WALSTER PROPOSED 4 PRINCIPLES FOR THE EQUITY THEORY:

1) People try and minimise negative experiences in their relationship. 2) Distribute rewards to ensure fairness. 3) The greater the sense of perceived unfairness, the grater the sense of dissatisfaction. 4) As long as the one who puts in more, but gets out less feels a chance of repair, they will endeavor to restore equity.

AO2 HATFIELD

Interviewed over 500 students about equity in their relationships. Three months later, most of the inequitable relationships had ended. Suggesting that equity does play a big part in relationships.

AO2 REAL LIFE APPLICATIONS

Theory does not replicate real life relationships. Feeney et al found that the equity theory failed to predict the relationship satisfaction because it fails to take into account the huge variation of modern day relationships. It cannot be applied to real life relationships.

AO2 IDA GENDER BIAS

This theory does not take into account male and female differences. It assumes that male and females are the same. Kahn et al found that men are more likely to focus on the norm of equity in relationships, whereas women are more likely to focus on the norm of equality. Therefore, this shows that women care more about equality rather than equity, suggesting this theory is based on males' needs. This theory is androcentric and cannot be applied to males and females equally.

AO2 CLARK & MILLS

found that couples who had an 'exchange style' did score keep but those in a 'communal' style relationship, were more motivated by a positive regard for their partner. Therefore, this theory can only be applied to couples that are 'exchange' style (certain types of couples).

Equity theory assumes...

that people strive for fairness in their relationships. If couples perceive unfairness, they get distressed. Inequity is seen as having the potential of creating dissatisfaction. People who give a lot and receive a little perceive inequity. People who give a little and receive a lot perceive inequity.