Equity Theory

Definition

Equity theory posits that when it comes to relationships, two concerns stand out: (1) How rewarding are their societal, family, and work relationships? (2) How fair and equitable are those relationships? According to equity theory, people feel most comfortable when they are getting exactly what they deserve from their relationships—no more and certainly no less.

Equity theory consists of four propositions:

Context and Importance

People everywhere are concerned with justice. “What's fair is fair!” “She deserves better.” “It's just not right.” “He can't get away with that: It's illegal.” “It's unethical!” “It's immoral.” Yet, historically, societies have had very different visions as to what constitutes social justice and fairness. Some dominant views include the following:

• All men are created equal.
• The more you invest in a project, the more profit you deserve to reap (American capitalism).
• Each according to his need (Communism).
• Winner take all (dog-eat-dog capitalism).

Figure 1 The Impact of Equity on Contentment With the Relationship

Nonetheless, in all societies, fairness and justice are deemed important. This entry will consider the consequences for men and women when they feel fairly or unfairly treated. Although equity has been found to be important in a wide variety of relationships—societal relationships, romantic and family relationships, helping relationships, exploitative relationships, and work relationships—this entry will focus on the research in one area: romantic and marital relationships.

Measuring Equity

Although (technically) equity is defined by a complex formula, in practice, in love relationships, equity has been assessed by a simple measure:

Considering what you put into your (dating relationship) (marriage), compared to what you get out of it… and what your partner puts in compared to what he or she gets out of it, how does your (dating relationship) (marriage) “stack up”?

• +3: I am getting a much better deal than my partner.
• +2: I am getting a somewhat better deal.
• +1: I am getting a slightly better deal.
• 0: We are both getting an equally good, or bad, deal.
• –1: My partner is getting a slightly better deal.
• –2: My partner is getting a somewhat better deal.
• –3: My partner is getting a much better deal than I am.

On the basis of their answers, persons can be classified as overbenefited (receiving more than they deserve), equitably treated, or underbenefited (receiving less than they deserve).

Equity in Love Relationships: The Research

There is considerable evidence that in love relationships, equity matters. Specifically, researchers find that the more socially desirable people are (the more attractive, personable, famous, rich, or considerate they are), the more socially desirable they will expect a mate to be. Also, dating couples are more likely to fall in love if they perceive their relationships to be equitable. Couples are likely to end up with someone fairly close to themselves in social desirability. They are also likely to be matched on the basis of selfesteem, looks, intelligence, education, mental and physical health (or disability). In addition, couples who perceive their relationships to be equitable are more likely to get involved sexually. For example, [Page 309]couples were asked how intimate their relationships were—whether they involved necking, petting, genital play, intercourse, cunnilingus, or fellatio. Couples in equitable relationships generally were having sexual relations. Couples in inequitable relationships tended to stop before going all the way. Couples were also asked why they'd made love. Those in equitable affairs were most likely to say that both of them wanted to have sex. Couples in inequitable relationships were less likely to claim that sex had been a mutual decision. Dating and married couples in equitable relationships also had more satisfying sexual lives than their peers. Equitable relationships are comfortable relationships. Researchers have interviewed dating couples, newlyweds, couples married for various lengths of time, including couples married 50+ years. Equitable relationships were found to be happier, most contented, and most comfortable at all ages and all stages of a relationship.

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