The Comparison of the Equity Theory and the 4 Stage Model and Their Use in Couples - Essay Example

? The Comparison and Contrast of the Equity Theory and the 4 Stage Model and Their Use in Couples' Counselling. INTRODUCTION The Social Exchange Theorist use both the Four stage Model and the Equity Theory as they both depend on the relational dyad of two people which create interpersonal resources: rewards, costs, and reciprocity. The resources can be symbolic and, or material. (Thibaut & Kelley 1959). The Equity Theory of Walsfer, Walsfer and Berscheid (1978) went one step deeper to explain intimate relationships. The model and theory will be compared to show how they are alike, as well as their differences in order to show whether or not they might be used in counselling. Both concepts add an additional variable to rewards and costs: an element of comparison and an element of fairness. Social Exchange between two people (the purpose of couple's counselling) implies that Rewards and Costs are an integral part of the relationship. Rewards are defined as an interchange of resources between the couple which bring gratification and pleasure. Costs are defined as a missed opportunity, or exchanged resources that result in a loss or punishment (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959). Outcomes equal rewards minus costs. Reciprocity is the interchange between partners. The terms Rewards, Costs and Outcomes are used in all general social exchange theories and models. The 4 stage Model (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959) used rewards, costs, comparison level, and comparison level for alternatives. Thibaut and Kelley made the assumption that couples would not stay in a relationship if it were based on rewards and costs alone because of the importance of previous life experiences brought into a relationship. The concept of Comparison Level (CL) explains the level of contributions that previous experiences and expectations make to determine how satisfied an individual is with his or her interpersonal relationship. Individuals come to their relationships with an awareness of societal norms for relationships and a backlog of their own experiences. The CL is influenced by this information and, thus, reflects (a) what individuals feel is deserved and realistically obtainable within relationships, and (b) what individuals feel is important for them to experience within a relationship. According to exchange theorists, satisfaction with a relationship alone does not determine the likelihood that a relationship will continue. The concept of comparison level of alternatives (CLalt), defined as the lowest level of outcome a person will accept from a relationship in light of available alternatives or available relationships with other people, to explain individuals' decisions to remain in or leave a relationship. The CLalt is an individual's assessment of the outcomes available as an alternative to the present relationship. When the outcomes available in an alternative relationship exceed those available in a relationship, the likelihood increases that person will leave the relationship. Hence, staying in or leaving a relationship is not simply a matter of how rewarding that relationship is. Relationships, which are rewarding, are more likely to be stable, because a high level of outcomes reduces, in terms of expectations, the likelihood of a better alternative existing. Unsatisfactory relationships, in turn, may remain stable for the lack of a better alternative. These relationships have been conceived as involuntary relationships by Thibaut and Kelley (1959). An example of a involuntary relationship would be a married individual who stays in violent marriage despite the violence because the alternative of the economics of living alone exceed the value of staying in the marriage. In 1978, Walster, Walster and Berscheid published their work on the Equity Theory of interpersonal relationships based on the view that the balance of the exchange was of an integral element in establishing the perception of satisfaction of the partners. They felt that people weigh the rewards and costs within relationships but they have the perception that relationships should be fair. Participant A and Participant B perceive to be receiving equal relative gains from the relationship. (Hatfield & Traupmann166)Three words need to be retained: Rewards, Costs and Fairness. Inputs equals the participant's contribution whether positive or negative to the relationship which he or she receives reward or punishment The reward or punishment is defined as Outcomes. Fairness, norms of reciprocity, and norms of equity are used as people judge their relationships (Blau, Homans, Walster, Walster, and Berscheid 1978). Each of these norms has to do with the expectation that within a close and intimate relationship, the rewards experienced by partners should be perceived as basically equal. When these norms are violated, the unbenefited person is apt to complain more about the relationship and pressure his or her partner to restore a more just and fair pattern of exchange (Berardo, Shehan, and Leslie 381-390). Both Thibaut and Kelley's 4 Stage Model of Exchange and Walster, Waltster & Bercheid's Theory of Equity share a number of similarities. As a Model and an Equity theory dealing with an interpersonal relationship, they focus specifically on three of the four quoted issues in literature: a) the norms and rules of exchange, b)the nature of the resources being exchanged, c) social exchange relationships. It can be argued if the issue of the roots of the conceptual ambiguities is similar or dissimilar whether cultural differences are taken into account. The exchange framework of both concepts also provides insight into the dynamics found within intimate relationships. In particular, the exchange framework has been used to explain the patterns of power and decision-making found within relationships. Fundamental to the exchange views of power are the assumptions that dependence and power are inversely related, and resources and power are positively and linearly related (Huston, McDonald, Thibaut and Kelley 1959). The partners least interested in their relationships tend to have the greater power in large part because they are less dependent on the relationships. The partners with the greater resources, also, tend to be the ones with the greater power—here largely because they have relatively greater control over the outcomes available to the partners. In other words, the essential point of the discussion of the patterns of interaction observed within exchange relationships is that the relative levels of involvement, dependence, and resources contribute importantly to the different patterns of interaction observed within relationships. Thibaut and Kelley’s 4 stage model of exchange and Walster, Walster & Berscheid’s model of Equity differ in a number of ways. 1. Thibaut focuses on equality of the partners' outcomes. External Contributions brought to a relationship are taken into account. Outcomes = resources-costs. 2. Equity takes into account the emotional contributions, each participant brings into the relationship. The relative contributions and outcomes between partners create the principle of fairness. 3. Expectation vs Perception Some people come to couples counselling seeking symptom relief; they just want the pain to go away. Other people want to go beyond symptom relief and learn how to succeed together and to build a relationship that prospers and grows with both of them growing right along with it. Marriage is an intricate partnership between two people. Problems arise when certain needs of one or both partners are not met. Marriage counsellors help to end communication barriers, repair broken bonds and strengthen the couple's relationships as a whole. Both of these theories can be used to deescalate marital fighting and provide initial symptom relief. They can be used as a metaphor to better understand the dynamics and communication patterns within the relationship. They can also be used to illuminate the costs and benefits of the current marital situation and to help the couple get some distance from the emotional pain that brought them into treatment. The models can also be used to provide hope and guidance as the couple begins to better understand their situation and to plan for incremental change that will strengthen their relationship and build it into one that supports the growth and development of both parties. The 4 Stage Model might influence the therapist as being too pragmatic to the rights and wrongs of a relationship. Thibaut & Kelley based their Social Exchange model on behavioural psychology and economics. There is a tendency to quantify the comparisons and the alternative comparisons and thus to be judgemental. The intricacies of a relationship are not as simple as to allow judgements to be made in a counselling session The Equity Theory, having added the perception of fairness, gives the emotional element or the ability of the couple to express emotions in a counselling session. A couple will have an easier time seeing the reason for the unbalanced relationship in terms of fairness rather than being allowed to judge. The therapist will be able influence the couples by showing that therapy might be an answer in regaining a balanced equitable relationship. Social Exchange approaches are multidisciplinary in origin: economics, sociology, psychology, social psychology. If the Equity Theory were to be used in marketing on a large scale, it would be difficult to take into account all the cultural perceptions. A religious woman would never doubt that her job in life is to stay at home and raise a family in 2011 whereas a university trained woman would expect to share the household duties in a communal relationship. Though it can be used to market goods, sharing family values on a large scale would be confronted with social constraints. Religious institutions would have an easier time using the Equity theory in explaining family issues. Staying in short term relationships has become a social phenomena. Using the 4 Stage Model would be easier in marketing because it would be able to quantify the expectations of each market segment. These are just two positive uses of these two concepts on a larger scales. A negative implication on a large scale of using either the Model or the Theory is that the focus on the power differential in a larger dyad of a leader/dictator with a social group may destabilize it and cause iatrogenic damage or damage that is unintended. The use of these theories might actually damage the all-important created attachment relationships which occur on a larger scale. Confidentiality is an issue in all therapy as are dual relationships. One of the most significant issues that may present itself is splitting. This occurs when one person in a counselling session seeks to align himself with the counsellor at the expense of the spouse. Allowing this to happen can create a number of problems, including damaging the trust of the couple; and possibly the therapeutic relationship itself. This may pose the greatest risk when using exchange or equity theory. The counselor has the attractive power and very little dependency and it would be natural for the stronger, more powerful member of the couple to align himself or herself with the counsellor. The counsellor would then be a much more appealing alternative to the more dependent spouse who has less to offer. In the Social Exchange Theory, rewards and costs build the foundation of the theory. Thibaut and Kelley (1959) use rewards to refer to pleasures, satisfactions, or gratifications that one enjoys or the provision of a means whereby a “drive” is deduced or a “need” is fulfilled; they use costs to refer to factors that inhibit or deter the performance of a behaviour. Furthermore, Thibaut and Kelley (1959) suggest that the outcomes (relational or interactional) or consequences of each individual in the dyad is dependent on the rewards received and the costs incurred. These three terms specifically, but not exclusively, come into play during relationship determination. Thibaut and Kelley (1959) call comparison levels. (rewards, costs, outcomes). They suggest that an individual evaluates his or her current relationship on two levels: (a) Comparison Level (CL) (an individual’s internal standard for evaluating how satisfactory the relationship is or one’s “ideal” relationship – what one feels he or she “deserves”) and (b) Comparison Level for alternatives (CLalt) (an individual contemplates the best available alternative to the current relationship – a measure of dependence on the relationship). Specifically, CLalt is supposed to act as the determinant of one’s decision to remain in or leave a relationship. It follows that individuals judge how satisfied they are with their current relationship by comparing what they have now [i.e., Outcomes (rewards - costs)] to their ideal relationship (CL). However, people will determine by comparing their outcomes to what they believe their next best alternative is (CLalt). As one can see, one could be very dissatisfied with a relationship, yet remain in it. Couples counsellors must take into account the diversity of their clientele. These theories were conceived by white Anglo-Saxons with 20th century perceptions and Christian values; It is hardly the social ethics of today. The perceived role of the woman changes according to religion and according to what generation in the country. A second generation Muslim might not have the same perception as an immigrant. The counsellor knows what type of people come, but does he or she know what type of perceived background the couple brings to the office? She or he has the "expectation" of her clientele but does she or he have the "perception" that the clients bring to the office? CONCLUSION The Equity Theory suggests that participants in a relationship will behave to ensure an equal balance of rewards and costs for both individuals. They are concerned with fairness in the relationship – no one should have an advantage over the other or should be able to obtain more rewards or sustain more costs. Individuals view the relationship itself as a reward. The Social Exchange Theory serves as a model to maintain the relationship (i.e., it functions in a way to keep each individual satisfied, and hopefully, through “equality,” above his or her CLalt). Relationships in both Model and Theory imply two people. Counsellors might be compelled to use both concepts provided the couple are without children and take into account the socio-economic situation of their background. Perception and expectation are relative to the culture and to the environment. Neither perception or expectation, nor culture or environment can be separated. References Berardo, F. M. and C.L. Shehan, and G.R. Leslie. "A Residue of Tradition: Jobs, Careers, and Spouses' Time in Housework." Journal of Marriage and the Family 49:381–390. 1987. Web 21 February, 2011. Blau, P. M. Exchange and Power in Social Life. New York: John Wiley & Sons. 1964. Web 21 February, 2011. Hatfield , E., & Traupmann. "Intimate Relationships: A Perspective from Equity Theory". In S.W. Duck & R. Gilmour (EDS.), Personal relationships, Vol. A. Studying personal relationships 166. London: Academic Press. 1981. Web 21 February, 2011. Homans, G. Social Behavior: Its Elementary Forms. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World. 1961. Web 21 February, 2011. Huston, T. L. "Power." In Close Relations, ed. H. H. Kelley, E. Berscheid, A. Christensen, J. H. Harvey, T. Huston, G. Levinger, E. McClintock, I. A. Peplau, and D. R. 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