Children's Judgments of Authority Figures with Respect to Outcome and Procedural Fairness

Summary Two studies tested the hypotheses that children are sensitive to variations in the procedural and outcome fairness processes involved in making judgments of an authority figure. Ss were 132 children (66 male and 66 female; median age 10.9 years). In Study 1 the Ss were told a story about a child who was rewarded by the mother by fair or unfair procedures. Outcomes were varied at three levels: higher than, equal to, and lower than deserved. Experimental Ss were subsequently required to rate the child's outcome satisfaction with mother and to evaluate the mother's fairness. Study 2 examined through questioning procedures whether children's satisfaction with mother was influenced by the degree of influence over mother and the benefits received from her. Separate analyses were done to examine procedural fairness, and outcomes with respect to level, satisfaction, and fairness. Results supported the prediction that children have potentials for evaluating an authority figure's procedural and outcome fairness.