Equity Theory

Equity theory suggests that individuals feel most satisfied in relationships when their contributions and benefits are balanced with their partner’s.

Equity emphasizes balance, asserting that a relationship remains fair when a partner who gains more also contributes more.

Inequity creates an imbalance when one partner becomes overbenefited, receiving more than they contribute, while the other becomes underbenefited by receiving less than they deserve.

Underbenefited partners resent giving more than they receive, while overbenefited partners feel guilty for gaining unfairly.

Individuals in relationships naturally and unconsciously track costs and benefits through a trust-insurance system, which helps them detect and repair imbalances.

This system follows three key steps. First, on days when individuals feel unworthy in their relationships, they make sacrifices, such as doing household chores.

Second, these restorative actions reduce their feelings of inferiority that same day.

Third, by the following day, partners who benefit from these actions express fewer doubts about the relationship.

This process supports the equilibrium model of relationship maintenance, where individuals strive to preserve meaningful relationships.