Abstract
Individuals often need to negotiate how to distribute jointly produced goods—equally (e.g., 50:50) or equitably (e.g., proportionally
to their contributions). We examined whether people have stable preferences, or whether they switch between equality and equity
in different situations. Pairs of anonymous participants first produced a common pie, and then distributed it in an ultimatum
game. Results suggest that individuals apply different justice principles depending on their contribution. When they produced
less than 50%, proposers divided the pie equally. However, when they produced more than 50%, their offers fell between equality
and equity. Responders’ ratings of fairness and satisfaction varied similarly; with low production, equality was preferred,
whereas with high production, equity was preferred. Nevertheless, equal and equitable offers were generally accepted, and
only outright unfair offers were rejected. This suggests that individuals are relatively flexible about which justice principle should be applied, but punish proposers whose offers violate both principles.
to their contributions). We examined whether people have stable preferences, or whether they switch between equality and equity
in different situations. Pairs of anonymous participants first produced a common pie, and then distributed it in an ultimatum
game. Results suggest that individuals apply different justice principles depending on their contribution. When they produced
less than 50%, proposers divided the pie equally. However, when they produced more than 50%, their offers fell between equality
and equity. Responders’ ratings of fairness and satisfaction varied similarly; with low production, equality was preferred,
whereas with high production, equity was preferred. Nevertheless, equal and equitable offers were generally accepted, and
only outright unfair offers were rejected. This suggests that individuals are relatively flexible about which justice principle should be applied, but punish proposers whose offers violate both principles.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-16
- DOI 10.1007/s11211-012-0151-1
- Authors
- Benoit Bediou, Brain and Learning Laboratory, University of Geneva, Boulevard pont d’Arve 40, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Vera Sacharin, Brain and Learning Laboratory, University of Geneva, Boulevard pont d’Arve 40, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Christopher Hill, Laboratory for the Study of Emotion Elicitation and Expression, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- David Sander, Brain and Learning Laboratory, University of Geneva, Boulevard pont d’Arve 40, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Klaus R. Scherer, Brain and Learning Laboratory, University of Geneva, Boulevard pont d’Arve 40, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland
- Journal Social Justice Research
- Online ISSN 1573-6725
- Print ISSN 0885-7466