Preferences among forms of equity
Abstract S s were presented with fictitious work situations in which they had to make forced choices among three forms of equity (Own, Comparison, Own/Comparison) and three forms of discrepant compensation (relative to Own's inputs, Other's inputs, Other's outcomes) regarding which they found most comfortable. Results indicate that Other is chosen over Own equity, overpayment is selected when a condition of Other equity exists, but underpayment is selected when a state of Own equity exists, and propositions within equity theory ( Adams, 1965 ) about gain maximization and higher threshold for overpayment are generally supported. A more refined model of social equity is presented to encompass the obtained results.