Equity theory

The equity theory ( theory of the equality principle of justice ) is a process theory of John Stacey Adams in social psychology. She tries to explain how the process of developing the motivation runs. People seek social relationships according to fair compensation in exchange for their use. This is not the case, the result is an imbalance that is compensated by the victim by means of different reactions.

In social psychology, the equity theory refers to an approach to the explanation of behavior in social relations on the basis of fairness or unfairness of the reward distribution, which was established in the Social psychological research by Adams (1965 ) as an independent field of research. In terms of exchange theory, fairness is determined by rewards and contributions. Two persons are then treated fairly when the ratio of their rewards is equal to their contributions. According to the principle of relative equality should be a person who does a lot, also received a large reward, whereas a person who does little, should receive a lower reward.

Unfairness would arise for example if someone who does little, a higher reward gets as someone who does a lot. Then the person who does little is überbelohnt, while the person who does a lot, is unterbelohnt. About reward and in particular sub- reward elicit negative emotions such as retaliation fear, anger and tension that motivate a restoration of fairness.

In general, two ways of restoring fairness distinguished:

The equity theory was originally developed for the performance and professional field. Meanwhile, it is applied to a variety of social sectors such close relationships and justification of social privileges. Philosophically, the equity theory based on the fact that the pursuit of balance is necessary to regulate the coexistence among people who identifies egoism and who want to maximize their utility, and to avoid conflicts. Therefore, certain standards must be met in a social system, according to which the distribution of goods is carried out. Violation of these fairness standard, which is described in the equity theory, gives rise to negative sanctions designed to safeguard the functioning of the social system. As part of socialization, people learn in a society that fairness in the long-term consequences is more advantageous than unfairness. Prerequisite for this tutorial, is the ability for delayed gratification.

Explanation: equity theory in the field of social privilege justification shown by the fact that it is believed by people who earn less that their work performance is worth less. In this way, the perceived balance can be maintained in spite of unequal pay. This corresponds in generalized form a just world beliefs.

Variables in the process

Inputs:

  • Social ties ( zBVorgesetzten - employee relationship )
  • Time spent
  • Education
  • Experience
  • Etc. ...

Outcomes:

  • Sympathy
  • Pay
  • Status
  • Working condition
  • Special payments
  • Etc. ...

Inputs and outcomes are set by the individual subjectively in relation. The ratio is compared on the basis of a scale such as a comparator ( colleagues) in a similar or the same working conditions. If the comparison a fair relationship, there is no motivational effect. If the person has a fixed inequality, there is a tension.

To reduce this tension in the following ways:

  • Lowering my inputs
  • Increase my Outcomes
  • Appreciation of my performance
  • Devaluation of the foreign power
  • Escape from the field
Fair and unfair play Social exchange theory Selfishness Conflict (process)
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