Abstract
This study was designed to investigate whether Equity Theory can be applied to dating couples' intimate romantic relationships. Male and female steady daters were divided into 5 categories according to the degree of equity-inequity in their relationships. Relationships beteen the degree of equity-inequity, and emotional responses, behavioral teridency and marriage intention were examined. The results demonstrated that the more ineqitable daters perceived their relationships, the more distress they felt, and they tried to restore equity in some ways according to the degree of inequity. More precisely, significant quadratic trends were found in relationships between the degree of inequity, and total mood index, behavioral tendency and marriage intention. Those slightly over benefited tried to increase self inputs, and those slightly under benefited tried to increase partrers' inputs. But those greatly over or greatly under benefited were tempted to sever their relationships. Findings were discussed in view of social exchange theory.
