Under-Benefiting Inequity In Relationships

Why Do We Need Each Other? Why do humans form romantic relationships? According to the Evolutionary theory, “we choose mates for the sole purpose of maximizing and enhancing our reproductive efforts” (Welch, 2012, p. 206). This may be biologically true, but people also have emotional needs. Human beings crave intimacy, whether it be with a parent, sibling, or romantic partner. “We all want to belong to someone, to share with someone, to be intimate with someone” (Welch, 2012, p. 140). Romantic relationships are very common but many often end in separation. What makes two individuals compatible with each other in a romantic relationship? The Social Exchange theory and the Equity theory explain what factors hold a couple together or break them apart. It is important for both partners to feel that the rewards of being in the relationship outweigh the costs. This concept is called the Social Exchange theory. It claims that when “presented with a situation in your interpersonal relationship, you sensibly and …show more content…
There are two components of inequity in partnerships: under-benefiting inequity and over-benefiting inequity (Sprecher, 2001). Under-benefiting inequity refers to one partner giving more than they are receiving. Over-benefiting inequity means one partner is receiving more than they are giving. For example, the under-benefiter provides emotional support and the over-benefiter receives this support but gives nothing in return. “Perceptions of equity may sometimes contribute to feelings of satisfaction and commitment and may sometimes be influenced by changes in satisfaction and commitment” (Sprecher, 2001, par. 54). However, the lack of a perception of equity can lead to one partner’s emotional commitment weakening and a search for alternatives (Sprecher, 2001). The effects can be detrimental to a relationship when both partners are not equally