Equity Theory and Exchange and Communal Orientation from a Cross-National Perspective

The present study explored differences between subjects from the United States and the Netherlands with respect to the evaluation of potential contributions to an intimate relationship, sex role attitudes, and communal and exchange orientation; the applicability of equity theory to intimate relationships; and the possible moderator effect of individual difference variables (i.e., exchange and communal orientation). The sample consisted of 133 students from the United States (41 male, 92 female; mean age, 20.9 years) and 143 students from the Netherlands (40 male, 103 female; mean age, 22.9 years). Clear differences were found between the American and Dutch subjects. They evaluated several contributions to an intimate relationship differently, and there were greater differences between American male and female students than between Dutch male and female students. American subjects had more sex role stereotyped attitudes and were more exchange oriented; equity theory fit 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.