Maintenance of Relationships #2

Maintenance of Relationships #2Outline and Evaluate Equity Theory

Maintenance of Relationships

1. Social Exchange Theory (SET)

2. Investment Model

3. Equity Theory

Social Exchange TheoryWe are constantly making these calculations about all of our relationships

All social behaviour is a series of exchanges attempting to maximise rewards and minimise costs

We are rational beings who seek the most profitable deal

We are all inherently selfish in our relationships

Evaluation of SET Unrealistic Regards humans as very selfish in their relationshipsAssumes we constantly monitor and weigh up costs and benefits of relationships

Duck (1994) suggests that we only begin to monitor relationships after we have become dissatisfied with them. We only begin to consider alternatives towards the end stages of a relationship breakdown

Maintenance of Relationships

1. Social Exchange Theory (SET)

2. Investment Model

3. Equity Theory

Equity TheoryDeveloped by Walster et al (1978)

Central Assumption is that:

People strive to achieve fairness in their relationship

Equity Theory

Inequity in a relationship creates distress which can lead to dissatisfaction.

If you give a great deal but receive little, this can result in inequity and dissatisfaction

Equity TheoryNot necessarily Equality

Partners could give or receive different amounts and the relationship could still be equitable

What is considered fair is subjective for each partnere.g. if 1 partner perceives themselves as putting less in than the other, the relationship will still be judged as fair if they get less out of the relationship

Equity TheoryEquity in a relationship can be calculated

Partner #1s benefits costs = Partner #2s benefits costs

Equity Theory

We will maintain a relationship that is equitable

We are motivated to restore equity in inequitable relationships by changing how much input we put in or the amount demanded.

Equity Theory A02 Stafford & Canary (2006)

Questionnaire given to 259 married couplesMeasured equity and satisfaction of relationship

1. 65% of couples felt there WAS equity 2. The remaining 35% were split into those feeling under-benefitted and over-benefitted

Equity Theory A02 Stafford & Canary (2006)1 year later

Highest Relationship Satisfaction came from couples who experienced Equity

Lowest Satisfaction scores from those who felt under-benefitted

Refutes SET12

Equity Theory A02 Stafford & Canary (2006)1 year later

Over-Benefitters felt guilty and uncomfortable

Under-Benefitters felt angry, resentful and deprived.

Refutes SET13

There is empirical evidence by Stafford & Carey (2006) supporting the equity theory. They conducted a longitudinal study with a sample of 259 couples who had been gathered from an advert in a local paper who obtained a score for equity in the relationship. They found that those who had found their relationship equitable a year previously now were most satisfied, whilst those who under-benefited a year previously were now least satisfied. These findings show that those who felt the relationship was most fair, a year later, was the most satisfied and so supports the theorys suggestion that the most important feature into the maintenance of a romantic relationship is the fairness between partners and thus increases the internal validity of the equity theory as an explanation into the maintenance of romantic relationships.

AO3

GenderReductionistEthical Guidelines?Nature vs. NurtureAnimal StudiesDeterminsm vs. Free WillEthnocentricism

15

A03 Equity Theory

Too unrealistic / Reductionist?

Clark & Mills disagree with the claim that all relationships are based on economics. They distinguished between exchange relationships and communal relationships. Although exchange relationships may involve keeping track of rewards and costs, satisfaction from communal relationships are governed by a desire to respond to the needs of partners

AO3

GenderReductionistEthical Guidelines?Nature vs. NurtureAnimal StudiesDeterminsm vs. Free WillEthnocentricism

17

A03 Gender DifferencesEquity theory doesnt take into account possible gender differences in what is considered fair Argyle (1988)explored gender differences and found that over-benefited women are less satisfied than those in equitable marriages, whereas with men, over-benefit brings little dissatisfaction. Under-benefited men feel more aggrieved than women in the same situation.The theory fails to account for these gender differences and could therefore be considered as too simplistic

AO3

GenderReductionistEthical Guidelines?Nature vs. NurtureAnimal StudiesDeterminsm vs. Free WillEthnocentricism

19

A03 Cultural BiasEconomic theories are based on Individualistic cultures where partners freely choose one another

It doesnt take into account arranged marriage or relationships in collectivist cultures where rewards may not be equitable when compared with costs.