Should I Stay or Should I Go

Theories of Equity and Investment

How do you know when you are ready for marriage?

How do you know when you are ready to break up?

RewardsCosts

Comparison LevelEquity

Satisfaction

Investments

Alternatives

Commitment

Pro-relational Behaviors

Stability

Relational Model of Investment

Perception of Equity vs.

Actual Equity

1. Emotional How the relationship makes you feel.

2. Social How fun the relationship is.3. Instrumental How useful the

relationship is.4. Opportunity What you are able to do

(or not do) because of the relationship.

Rewards & Costs

Comparison Level

EquityRewards / Costs

=Rewards / Costs

What problems would an “Equity” perspective

create?

RewardsCosts

Comparison LevelEquity

Satisfaction

Investments

Alternatives

Commitment

Pro-relational Behaviors

Stability

Relational Model of Investment

1. Intrinsic Investment the amount of time or emotional effort put toward the relationship.

2. Extrinsic Investment the amount of tangible contributions toward the relationship.

3. Alternatives What other options do I Have?

Other Factors

RewardsCosts

Comparison LevelEquity

Satisfaction

Investments

Alternatives

Commitment

Pro-relational Behaviors

Stability

Relational Model of Investment

Commit to the Relationship

Accommodation

Derogate Alternatives

RewardsCosts

Comparison LevelEquity

Satisfaction

Investments

Alternatives

Commitment

Pro-relational Behaviors

Stability

Relational Model of Investment

How to Reduce Inequity1. Restore Actual Equity make an effort to

balance the relationship2. Restore Psychological Equity reframe

the relationship to make it seem more equitable

3. End the relationship