A STUDY OF THE SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY OF DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE: A CRITIQUE OF EQUITY THEORY

Two experiments were conducted which compared the single-principle equity model of distributive justice (Walster, Bersheid, & Walster, 1973) with the multi-principle model of distributive justice (Deutsch, 1975), to determine which model is more useful for explaining how fairness decisions are made. Experiment 1 examined the role of type-of-allocation (distribution or cut) and value orientations (task productivity or social relations) of decision makers and recipients in resource allocation decisions. Decision makers were faced with real decision dilemmas involving real recipients. The results indicated that equity, equality and need all were viable distribution strategies for achieving fairness. Distributions were influenced by the type-of-allocation and the value orientation of the decision maker, but not by the value orientation of the recipients. Less resources were allocated to the meritorious recipient and more to the needy recipient when resource cuts were made and when decision makers valued social relations. The findings are consistent with the multi-principle model and suggest that in certain situations, the equity model may be an oversimplification of the distributive justice process. Experiment 2 investigated the role of self-presentation and social desirability in distributive justice decisions, and tested the causal link between type-of-allocation and decision maker value preferences. Participants read and responded to vignette descriptions of a decision setting which was similar to the setting in Experiment 1. Self-presentation was measured with the Public Self-Consciousness Scale (Fenigstein, Scheir, & Buss, 1975) and the Self-Monitoring Scale (Snyder, 1974). Social desirability was measured with the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (1960). The results indicated that to a limited extent, concerns about self-presentation and social approval do moderate the influence of type-of-allocation on value preferences and distribution decisions. No causal link between type-of-allocation and decision maker value preferences was found. Correlational analyses suggested that resource cut conditions may increase the salience of a helping norm and decrease the salience of fairness norms