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 motivation comes about . In social relationships, people seek fair consideration for their commitment. If this is not the case, an imbalance arises, which is balanced out by the person concerned by means of different reactions.
In social psychology, equity theory describes an approach to explaining behavior in social relationships on the basis of the fairness or unfairness of the reward distribution, which was established as an independent research direction in the social psychological research of Adams (1965). In terms of exchange theory , fairness is determined by rewards and contributions. Two people will be treated fairly if the ratio of their rewards to their contributions is equal. According to the principle of relative equality , a person who does a lot should also receive a high reward, while a person who does little should receive a lesser reward.
Unfairness would be e.g. For example, given when someone who does little gets a higher reward than someone who does a lot. Then the person who does little is over rewarded, while the person who does a lot is under rewarded. Over reward, and especially under reward, evoke negative emotions such as fear of retaliation, anger and tension, which motivate a restoration of fairness.
In general, two ways of restoring fairness can be distinguished:
- Compensation by giving the underpaid person compensation,
- Appreciation - higher wages for the underpaid person or devaluation - wage reduction for the overpaid person in order to psychologically justify the status quo.
Equity theory was originally developed for the performance and professional sectors. It is now applied to a variety of social areas such as close relationships and justification of social privilege. Philosophically, the equity theory is based on the fact that the pursuit of balance is needed to coexistence among people who egoism want to maximize features and their benefits to regulate and conflicts to be avoided. Therefore, in a social system, certain norms must be observed according to which the distribution of goods is carried out. The violation of this fairness norm, which is described in equity theory, leads to negative sanctions that serve to maintain a functioning social system. As part of socialization , people in a society learn that fairness is more beneficial than unfairness in the long term. The prerequisite for this learning step is the ability to delay the reward .
Equity theory in the field of justifying social privilege is demonstrated by the assumption that those who earn less are believed that their work is worth less. In this way, the perceived balance can be maintained despite unequal pay. In generalized form, this corresponds to a just-world belief .
Variables in the process
Inputs:
- social ties (e.g. supervisor-employee relationship)
- time spent
- education
- Experience
- Etc...
Outcomes:
- sympathy
- Reward
- status
- Working condition
- Special payments
- Etc...
Inputs and outcomes are subjectively put in relation by the individual. The ratio is based on a scale z. B. compared to a comparator (colleague) in a similar or the same work situation. If the comparison shows a fair relationship, there is no motivational effect. If the person discovers an inequality, tension arises.
The following options are available to reduce this tension:
- Lowering my input
- Increase in my outcome
- Appreciation of my performance
- Devaluation of third-party performance
- Escape from the field
Individual evidence
- ↑ Adams, JS (1965). Inequity in social exchange. In L. Berkowitz (Ed.), Advances in experimental social psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 267-299). New York: Academic Press.