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

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... 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.