Including the other in self: Implications for judgments of equity and satisfaction in close relationships

This study tested the hypothesis that the association between equity and sa tisfaction is moderated by relationship level thinking-conceptualized as a sense of "we-ness." Support was found for the hypothesis that there would b e a weaker association between equity and satisfaction among respondents wi th a high level of "we-ness" or cognitive interdependence than those with a low level. The Arons' Inclusion of Other in Self Scale (IOS) was used as a measure of "we-ness." Research participants were 483 college undergraduate s who completed surveys regarding their closest relationship: 62% responded with reference to a romantic relationship; 23% with reference to a close f riendship, and 15% with reference to a spouse. There was support for the re search hypothesis among students who responded with reference to romantic r elationships and close friendships. The lack of support for the hypothesis among married respondents was attributed to a lack of statistical power and to differences in the equity issues faced by married respondents versus re spondents in other relationships.