Adams equity theory leadership skills training from. Equity theory attempts to explain relational satisfaction in terms of perceptions of fairunfair distributions of resources within interpersonal relationships. 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 is a social justice theory which espouses a theoretical framework for establishing equity across relationships, specifically in marital and long term committed relationships see. Researchers using equity theory have examined close relationships like friendships and family relationships. The equity theory suggests that equity principles determine. The distribution of rewards and resources is a universal phenomenon that occurs in social systems of all sizes, from small groups to whole societies parsons, 1951. Equity the scope of equity theory and close relationships. Equity theory project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Berscheid 1985 and berscheid and reis 1998, as well as the entirety of the edited books hendrick and hendrick 2000 and sprecher, et al.
Equity theory proposes that individuals in social exchange relationships compare each other the ratios of their inputs into the exchange to their outcomes from the exchange. Handbook of theories of social psychology sage publications ltd. Studies show that equity does play a central role in some relationships e. Equity theory argues that as the level of perceived inequity in the relationship increases, the level of the partners distress will increase as well, which will result in at least one partners. Equity theory is also called inequity theory as it is the unequal difference that is often the area of interest. An equal exchange of benefits results in the most satisfying.
Oct 29, 2010 please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from wikipedia or other free sources online. 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 explores the perceptions of humans regarding their inputs in the relationship and the outcomes they get. It can be used in personal life, government or business. Theory and research, hatfield and her colleagues 1978 argued that casual dating relationships differ from deeply committed, loving, intimate relationships in several ways. Oct 08, 2012 equity theory is a theory about fairness. Considered one of the justice theories, equity theory was first developed in 1963 by j. Fairness is achieved when people feel they get approximately what they deserve from relationships. Considering the emphasis placed on roles and familial kin support in jamaica, we can deduce that equity may be of less importance in affecting relationship satisfaction. Social comparison, equality, and relationship satisfaction. The equity theory of motivation how to keep your team motivated. She has held several positions within the society for the psychology of women apa division 35, including editor of the newsletter 19801982 and president 1995. New directions in the psychology of intimate relations. The maintenance of romantic relationships another theory for the maintenance of romantic relationships is equity theory.
Equity theory is a concept of human relations based on utility, or the amount of happiness and satisfaction one gets out of any given relationship. It has been suggested that there is a need to distinguish between types of relationship e. Learn about equity theory from a professional speaker and instructor in this free. Pdf equity and uncertainty in relational maintenance. Social exchange theory proposes that the relationships we choose to create and maintain are the ones that maximize our rewards and minimize our costs. Equity theory posits that when it comes to relationships, two concerns stand out. It is centered around a costbenefit analysis of any given relationship. Equity and balance in the exchange of contributions in close relationships. Jun 01, 2001 with contributions from the leading experts on relationships, this book covers important issues, such as love as selfexpansion, equity in maintaining close relationships, commitment, social support, selfverification, and minding the relationship. With contributions from the leading experts on relationships, this book covers important issues, such as love as selfexpansion, equity in maintaining close relationships, commitment, social support, selfverification, and minding the relationship. Oct 17, 2014 equity theory walster 1978 ao1 theory for psya3. This theory of motivation states that positive outcomes and high levels of motivation can be expected only when employees perceive their treatment to be fair. The fairness model proposes an alternative measure of equity inequity to the relational partner or comparison person of standard equity theory.
The dictionary meaning of the word equity is the quality of being fair and impartial. Theory and research walster, walster, and berscheid 1978. According to equity theory, people feel most comfortable when they are. She is the founding editor 19922003 of the psychology of women book series, published by apa, and was associate editor of the american psychologist 19932006. Theoretical perspectives in the study of close relationships. Overview of equity theory marriage and family encyclopedia. In the preceding sections, we have explored the ability of equity theory to provide insights into casual relationships. Sage reference equity theory in close relationships. Stacy adams in 1963 and fully developed in a chapter published 2 years later, equity theory draws on earlier social psychological concepts inspired by fritz heiders balance. Equity and social exchange in human relationships sciencedirect. The equity theory of relationships is based on a theory developed by workplace and behavioral psychologist john stacey adams.
Men who have been pulled away from their family by their work sometimes try to even the scales with expensive holidays. According to carrell and dittrich 1978, employees who perceive inequity will seek to reduce it, either by distorting inputs andor outcomes in. 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 relationshipsthis entry will focus on the research in one area. Equity theory is based on a principle that peoples actions and motivations are guided by fairness and that discrepancies in this fairness in the workplace will spur them to try and redress it. Intimate relationship social exchange equity theory crisis period intimate relation.
The central questions in the present study are i when comparing themselves with the partner, to what extent do women feel more deprived than men in their relationship with regard to relational inputs and life outcomes. Oct 05, 2008 equity theory asserts that when a relationship is no longer deemed equal that relationship is in trouble. Download citation equity theory in close relationships throughout history, people have been concerned with social justice. Equity theory in close relationships, in handbook of theories of social psychology. The fairness model proposes an alternative measure of equityinequity to the relational partner or comparison person of standard equity theory. Equity theory, popularly known as adams equity theory, aims to strike a balance between an employees input and output in a workplace. Part of the springer series in social psychology book series sssoc. The application of attachment theory to individual behavior and functioning in close relationships. Social exchange in developing relationships is a collection of. As noted above, equity theory is a theory about fairness. This does not work well as they are trying to trade shortterm value money for longterm value emotion.
Motives to remain platonic, equity, and the use of. Stacy adams, a workplace and behavioral psychologist, who asserted that employees seek to maintain equity between the inputs that they bring to a. Sage books the ultimate social sciences digital library. In this lesson, we discuss the importance of equality in a relationship by defining.
Attraction in close relationships psychology oxford. Proponents of equity theory say the same is true of our intimate relationships. Casual friendships but there is limited support for its importance in others. It maintains that humans frequently consider fairness in their calculation of costs and benefits in their encounters with others. Its application to close relationships has been primarily advanced by elaine hatfield previously known as elaine walster and her colleagues in the book equity. This is what we as human beings strive to achieve in our relationships, either knowingly or subconsciously. Providing a comprehensive exploration of the major developments of social psychological theories that have taken place over the past half century, this innovative twovolume handbook is a state of the art overview of the primary theories and models that have been developed in this vast and fascinating field. This is similar in that it sees behaviour within relationships as a series of exchanges with people trying to maximise their rewards and minimise costs however the goal. As an example of equity theory, if an employee learns that a peer doing. Close encounters communication in relationships 5th edition. The importance of equity in close intimate relationships. Adams holds that an individual strives for such a balance relative to the balance that individual perceives between contributions and inducements as applying to a referent. Social exchange in developing relationships sciencedirect.
Equity theory asserts that when a relationship is no longer deemed equal that relationship is in trouble. Belk the university of texas at austin acknowledgments. Social exchange in developing relationships 1st edition. If the employee is able to find his or her right balance it would lead to a more productive relationship with the management. Study 85 terms social psychology flashcards quizlet. Adams equity theory, which stresses the importance of striking a balance between employee inputs and outputs. Equity theory, too, posits that in personal relationships, two concerns stand out. A number of theorists have attempted to apply equity and social exchange conceptions to a wide variety of areas, including social interactions, close relationships. Inequity exists when the perceived inputs andor outcomes in an exchange relationship are psychologically inconsistent with the perceived inputs andor outcomes of the. The papers discuss several theoretical perspectives, such as evolutionary theory, personality theory, cognitive developmental theory, equity theory, role theory, and attribution theory. The book outlines four interlocking propositions of equity theory. In simple terms, equity theory states that if an individual identifies an inequity between themselves and a peer, they will adjust the work they do to make the situation fair in their eyes. Rent close encounters communication in relationships 5th edition 9781506376721 and save up to 80% on textbook rentals and 90% on used textbooks. Equity theory and friendships in later life by a dissertation.
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