Equity Theory, Exchange and Communal Orientation from a Cross-NationalPerspective

摘要

The study explores the differences between the United States and the Netherlandswith respect to (1) the evaluation of potential contributions to an intimate relationship, (2) the perception of equity, relationship satisfaction, sex-role attitudes, and communal and exchange orientation, (3) the applicability of equity theory to intimate relationships, and (4) the possible moderator effect of individual difference variables, i.e. exchange orientation and communal orientation. Clear differences were found between the American and Dutch subjects. They evaluated several contributions to an intimate relationship differently; there were greater differences between American males and females than between Dutch males and females; American subjects had more sex-role stereotyped attitudes, and were more exchange oriented; and equity theory fits better among the Americans, although exclusively for those who were low in communal orientation. The results imply that studies conducted in the United States on these issues cannot simply be generalized to other nations.