Editing Equity theory (section)

==Criticisms and related theories==
Criticism has been directed toward both the assumptions and practical application of equity theory by people such as Leventhal who assert that Equity Theory is too unidimensional, ignores procedure, and overestimates how important the concept of fairness is in social interactions.<ref>Leventhal, G.S. National Science Foundation. (1977). ''What Should Be Done with Equity Theory? New Approaches to the Study of Fairness in Social Relationships'' (SO 010 146).</ref> Scholars have questioned the simplicity of the model, arguing that a number of demographic and psychological variables affect people's perceptions of fairness and interactions with others.{{By whom|date=April 2020}}  Furthermore, much of the research supporting the basic propositions of equity theory has been conducted in laboratory settings, and thus has questionable applicability to real-world situations.{{sfnp|Huseman|Hatfield|Miles|1987}} Critics have also argued that people might perceive equity/inequity not only in terms of the specific inputs and outcomes of a relationship, but also in terms of the overarching system that determines those inputs and outputs.{{By whom|date=April 2020}} Thus, in a business setting, one might feel that his or her compensation is equitable to other employees', but one might view the entire compensation ''system'' as unfair.{{sfnp|Carrell|Dittrich|1978}}

Researchers have offered numerous magnifying and competing perspectives:

===Equity sensitivity construct===
The Equity Sensitivity Construct proposes that individuals has different preferences for equity and thus react in different ways to perceived equity and inequity.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}} Preferences can be expressed on a continuum from preferences for extreme under-benefit to preferences for extreme over-benefit. Three archetypal classes are as follows:

*Benevolent individuals, those who prefer their own input/outcome ratios to be less than those of their relational partner. In other words, the benevolent prefers to be under-benefited.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}
*Equity Sensitives, those who prefer their own input/outcome ratios to be equal to those of their relational partner.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}
*Entitled individuals, those who prefer their own input/outcome ratios to exceed those of their relational partner. In other words, the entitled prefers to be over-benefited.{{sfnp|Huseman|Hatfield|Miles|1987}}

===Fairness model===
The Fairness Model proposes an alternative measure of equity/inequity to the relational partner or "comparison person" of standard equity theory.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}  According to the Fairness Model, an individual judges the overall "fairness" of a relationship by comparing their inputs and outcomes with an internally derived standard.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}} The Fairness Model thus allows for the perceived equity/inequity of the overarching system to be incorporated into individuals' evaluations of their relationships.{{sfnp|Carrell|Dittrich|1978}}

===Game theory===
Behavioral economics has recently started to apply [[game theory]] to the study of equity theory. For instance, Gill and Stone in 2010 analyze how considerations of equity influence behavior in strategic settings in which people compete and develop the implications for optimal labor contracts.{{sfnp|Gill|Stone|2010}}