The Justice Process: Deciding Upon Equity or Equality

While research has documented the existence of equity and equality as allocation norms, no research has examined the process by which these norms are achieved. Using data collected by Kahn, Nelson, and Gaeddert (1980: Study 2), group discussions of 24 triads, which had been videotaped, were analyzed. The choice of allocation norm appeared to be determined by who spoke first, who spoke the most, and what norm that person suggested. When equity was chosen, the discussion was initiated by the low input member 75% of the time, the low input member talked more than others, and equity was first suggested by the low input person 50% of the time. The high input person never initiated the discussion or suggested equity first in these eight groups. When equality was chosen the high input person initiated the discussion 64% of the time, spoke the most, and was the first to suggest equality 69% of the time. Such discussions were initiated by low input members only 12.5% of the time and they first suggested equality only 6% of the time (p's < .05). These findings strongly suggest that subjects were primarily interested in maximizing the social rewards in the situation and making a positive impression on other group members, since subjects suggested allocation norms that deprived themselves of monetary rewards but enhanced the monetary rewards of others.