Equality Matching (EM) in Relational Models Theory

Relational Models Theory, developed by anthropologist Alan Fiske, categorizes human interactions into four fundamental types: Communal Sharing, Authority Ranking, Equality Matching, and Market Pricing. Among these, Equality Matching (EM) is distinct for its emphasis on balance and reciprocity in social relationships.

In Equality Matching, interactions are based on the principle of equal status and balanced reciprocity. This model is characterized by a one-to-one correspondence, where the focus is on maintaining an equal distribution of resources, time, or effort among participants.

1. Exact Reciprocity: Equality Matching places a high value on direct reciprocity. Whether it's sharing tasks or splitting costs, each participant is expected to contribute and receive equally.
2. Turn Taking: Activities often involve taking turns. For instance, in a work environment, team members may rotate responsibilities to ensure fair participation.
3. Balanced Exchange: The concept extends to various forms of exchanges, including time, effort, and tangible goods, ensuring that no one person is disproportionately burdened or benefited.

• Social Groups: In many social groups, members participate in activities where there is a clear expectation of turn-taking and fair contribution. For example, a book club might rotate the responsibility of hosting meetings among all its members.
• Household Chores: In families or shared living situations, chores are often divided equally, with each person taking responsibility for specific tasks on a rotating basis.
• Gift-Giving: The practice of exchanging gifts during holidays or special occasions often follows the principle of Equality Matching, where individuals aim to give gifts of roughly equal value.

While Equality Matching focuses on balance and equal reciprocation, it contrasts with the other relational models:

• Communal Sharing involves a collective pooling of resources without keeping track of individual contributions.
• Authority Ranking is based on a hierarchical ordering where individuals' contributions and distributions are determined by their rank.
• Market Pricing operates on proportionality and ratio, often involving monetary transactions and precise calculations of value.

Understanding Equality Matching within the framework of Relational Models Theory provides insight into how humans intuitively structure and navigate social interactions across different contexts.

Related Topics

• Communal Sharing
• Authority Ranking
• Market Pricing
• Alan Fiske
• Anthropology
• Social Exchange Theory

Concept Of Equality Matching