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Argues that there is a confounding between stimulus presentation probability and memory set size in S. Sternberg's classic study of character recognition. 2 experiments were conducted, with 20 undergraduates in each, in which stimulus probability and memory set size were varied independently. Using Sternberg's analysis, results essentially replicate his. However, a pronounced and systematic stimulus probability effect was found on reaction time to both positive and negative stimuli. The data are consistent with a self-terminating process which searches a stochastically ordered memory stack containing representations of both positive and negative stimuli which are stored with their appropriate response codes as paired associates. (20 ref.)

Supposedly, Equity is a general theory which applies to all human relations. Yet, the theory has never been tested in deeply intimate settings. This study was designed to determine whether formal Equity theory can give us insight into dating couples' intimate romantic and sexual relationships. We proposed that if people feel they are getting less from a relationship than they deserve, they feel entitled to "call the shots" sexually. In light of the double standard, we expected undcrbenelited men to demand that their partners go fairly far, sexually. In contrast, we expected underbenefited women to insist that their partners wait until they are ready for sex-and that may be a long wait. (In brief, we expected the subject's sex and the equity of a relationship Is subject underbenefited? equitably treated? overbenefited? | to interact in determining how far a couple goes sexually.) Our hypotheses were not confirmed. Couples were most intimate in the equitable relationships.Presumably, Equity is a general theory. Presumably,, Equity principles steer all human interactions (see Berkowitz & Walster, 1976). Thus far, Equity theory has been applied to predict men's and women's reactions in such diverse interactions as employer/employee relations, exploiter/victim relations, philanthropist/recipient relations, and the like. (See Walster, Walster, & Berscheid, 1978, for a comprehensive review of this research.) Equity theory has proved to be surprisingly successful in predicting men's and women's reactions in such casual interactions. Is Equity theory equally successful in predicting people's reactions to deeply intimate interactions? Surprisingly, we do not know. Tt is only within the last year that researchers have begun to determine whether equity principles guide the interactions of sweethearts, married couples, and extramarital lovers (see Walster, Utne, & Traupmann, in press;Walster, Walster, & Berscheid, 1978). The present study was dc-

This study was designed to determine whether or not equity considerations are important in couples' sexual relations. To answer this question, 53 newlywed couples were interviewed about their sexual relationships. Two main hypotheses were tested: (a) Men and women who feel their relationships are equitable will be more content (less distressed) than people who feel either overbenefited or underbenefited. (b) Men and women who feel equitably treated will have more satisfying sexual relations than those who feel either underbenefited or overbenefited. Some support for both hypotheses was obtained. Specifically, couples in equitable relationships were more content with their relationships and with their lives in general than other couples. In addition, equitably treated men and women were more satisfied with their sexual relationships overall than were other couples. They felt most loving and close after sex and assumed their partner felt that way too. While equitable couples did not say they felt more satisfied immediately after a sexual encounter than did other couples, they believed their partners were unusually satisfied. Reasons why these findings, though providing some support for the equity paradigm, must be interpreted with caution are discussed.Equity theory (see Hatfield, Utne, & Traupmann, 1979) consists of four interlocking propositions: Proposition I: Individuals will try to maximize their outcomes (where outcomes equal rewards minus punishments).

Equity theory has recently been found to be a useful framework for understanding the effects of imbalances in intimate "contractual" relationships such as marriage. Equitable couples seem to be happier, more satisfied with their relationship, and more confident that it will last than are their more mismatched, i.e., inequitable, counterparts. Furthermore, inequitable couples predictably act to "set things right" in their marriage. They either restore actual equity to the relationship or psychologically set their relationship in balance. If neither works, they may "leave the field." Extramarital sex may be viewed as an equity restoration mechanism in that (1) it may be used by the deprived partner to achieve actual equity, (2) it may indicate a partner's readiness to leave the relationship because he feels he can "do better," or (3) it may represent a desire to achieve equity in an alternative relationship(s) when inequity pervades the primary one. The hypothesis that the inequitable/underbenefited group should be more likely than the equitable group or the inequitable/overbenefited group to have engaged in extramarital sex was tested using data from a large-scale Psychology Today questionnaire. The results indicated that men and women in inequitable/underbenefited relationships had more extramarital affairs and began their extramarital activities earlier than did men and women in equitable and inequitable/overbenefited relationships. Alternative explanations of this finding, sex-role demands and length of the relationship, are explored and discarded as untenable.

Equity Theory, a social psychological theory concerned with fairness in interpersonal relations, has been shown to be predictivein casual encounters. Is it applicable in intimate relations as well? Newlyweds were asked a series of questions designed to measure the perceived level of equity in their relationship. Measures of their contentment/distress with the relationship and stability of the relationship were also taken. It was hypothesized that men and women who felt equitably treated would feel more content in their marriage and would perceive the marriage as more stable than would men and women in inequitable marriages. Strong evidence in support of both hypotheses was found. Also reported is a test of a post hoc hypothesis that women and men should be differentially concerned with equity. No significant sex differences were found on any of the dependent variables in the study.

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